Sometimes high class education has little or nothing to do to inspire the society. A good deed came in light when tribal people of one of the most backward districts in terms of development came in action to save trees from getting cut.

The natives of Dungarpur district sprinkle pious saffron-water in the forest ranges these days which is turning as an immunity factor for the trees. The age old tradition is being followed by community lunch of Dal-Baati Churma.

‘Aadiwasis consider Saffron or Kesar to be very pious and swearing on Kesar water means one cannot go back on his words,’ informed Deepak Patel, a resident of Aaspur forest area where the Kesar sprinkling ceremony was recently held.

Around November-December each year, the forest department takes lead in promoting the tradition through village management committees which carry out the rituals in their concerning dwelling areas. “Customs come to help where logic fails. The villagers have immense faith in the ritual and they strictly abide them once the kesar water is scattered all over,” said Virendra Joshi, forest ranger in Aaspur.

“The deep rooted tribal traditions and sentiments are fulfilled by the revered forests environment. Jungles help them meet their requirements like wood for building, firewood, herbal medicines, fodder for cattle, edible roots, tubers, bamboo and wild fruits essential for their living,” said Dr Narpat Singh Rathore, a retired  professor of Geography at Mohanlal Sukhadia University.

Amid loud beating of drums, the village elder men sprinkle water over the trees symbolizing oath of never to cut them down. Similar tradition is also followed at Jhadol, a remote settlement in Udaipur where tribals bring down Kesar Prasad from the famous Kesariyaji temple which is later sprinkled on the endangered species of trees to save them from wood mafias.

Young girls, in a procession with kalash (pots) filled with saffron water over their heads go to the forest where the sacred water is showered on trees like Mahua, Kirani, Khakra, Bamboo, Aanwla. Of fearing a wrath from Kalababa (Lord Kesariya ji) no one dares to violate the laws and harm the trees. 

Source: UdaipurKiran.com