Orans are local micro bio-diversity reserves- community conserved areas (CCAs) harboring the shrine of a local goddess or deity. Also known as Dev-banis, these local forests vary in size from a hundred to five hundred bighas (about hundred hectares). Most Orans have sources of water, either small springs or rivulets running through them or a variety of ponds and nadis in their midst. These can cover fairly extensive areas across interspersed habitation. At the heart of every Oran is a Deity, whose domain has at some point in time been marked out by a ritual, usually consisting of the pouring of Ganges water or saffron-milk around the grove. KRAPAVIS is a grass-roots organization concerned with the community-led revival of Rajasthan's village forests, or Orans. For the last 16 years, KRAPAVIS has been working to revive Orans, both physically and conceptually. Aman Singh, Chief Coordinator/ Founder KRAPAVIS, Ashoka Fellow & LEAD Fellow writes about the importance of Orans, the role they play in the fabric of rural India, its conservation and much more. Read more here: Oran Sacred Activism
Post By: iwp
Sub Categories