Bastar: About 120kms away from Bastar in Chhattisgarh, lies deep Sal forest areas in Bhatiguda village spread across 100 acres of land, where no forest official has been deployed to take care of them. The Bhatiguda forest is not only guarded by the villagers but also worshipped and they even celebrate Govardhan puja.
Just once in a year, trees in this forest are felled to build the chariot that is traditionally used during the Dussehra festivities in Bastar.
The villagers consider deciduous forests as their 'family members' and have banned commercial extraction of timber and firewood from the area. They have declared forest area as a conservation area and intervention of forest department officials is not allowed.
People living in and around the forest claimed that they have not received any financial aid from the forest officers.
The forest officers also feel that villagers have been taking care of the forest in such an amicable manner that they never felt the need to deploy their men. They also said that if villagers know the in and out of the forest area and have never allowed illegal cutting of trees in the forest.
The villagers have also banned hunting of wild animals from the forest area and forests. They have protected and maintained the Bastar forests in such a manner that even the forest officers are not worried about its conservation.
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Interestingly, the villagers elect a forest president who guides the locals about how to protect and conserve the forests. The president also collects funds for forest conservation and its maintenance.
A security guard is deployed during the night to ensure that no cutting of trees takes place.
Forest president Lakhuram claimed that to date, no tree has been illegally cut in the forest, adding that their ancestors have been preserving the forests and they are doing the same.
He said, "Some villagers from the nearby village had to pay heavy penalty as they had cut down the trees. We used that money for the protection of the forest."
The entire village has so much affection towards the forest, also their 'goddess', that they are willing to spare their leisure hours in protecting it.
Despite the forests not yielding a good revenue to the villagers, they have dedicated their lives to protecting and taking care of the forests. People of the area have realized their responsibilities and duties towards nature and harmonious coexistence that they have been practising for generations.
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