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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Madhya Pradesh tribals defend their gods with bows & arrows-Lemuel Lall

Madhya Pradesh tribals defend their gods with bows & arrows-Lemuel Lall

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published Published on Apr 12, 2012   modified Modified on Apr 12, 2012

Bamboo bows drawn taut and lethal arrow heads catching the sun's glint, the Baigas- a dwindling tribe in the remote jungles of Ranjara in Madhya Pradesh's Dindori district - are standing guard for their gods against whom they consider state-sponsored marauders.

These lush jungles have been their homes for generations and Baigas worship trees as gods. Tribal men, women and children now stand guard, armed against axes and saws - ironically, taking on forest officials who they think are facilitating the 'slaughter'.

The local village panchayat held frequent meetings to protest the forest department's policy of felling trees. Running out of patience, the panchayat in its recent meeting asked every able man, woman and child to take up their traditional arms to ensure not a single tree is cut.

Dindori Conservator of Forest L P Tiwari said, "We have only been cutting dead wood to provide firewood to locals, under a sustained yield-based working plan. The department strictly follows regulations," A total ban on tree felling could lead to illegal logging on a massive scale, he said, adding, "This was the experience in Uttarakhand.''

But for the moment, the Baigas are in no mood to listen to such arguments. "We are in talks with the tribe to at least facilitate the marking of trees that are dying or are dead there. I am hopeful that an agreement will be reached," Tiwari said.

A senior forest officer said the Maoist from the neighbouring villages of Chattisgarh may be fueling the tribal resistance. "We believe some ultra-left groups are behind this disturbing development in Ranjara. Most of its inhabitants are illiterate and poor," the officer said.

The Baigas, who are nature-worshippers, say trees are their gods and felling them would devastate the ecology. They have vowed to die or be jailed to save them. Forest officials were stunned by the sudden and stiff resistance and is now trying hard to "thaw the differences" over tree felling.

The Times of India, 12 April, 2012, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Madhya-Pradesh-tribals-defend-their-gods-with-bows-arrows/articleshow/12631209.cms


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