Eco-Vigilantism, Nepali-Style

Women Patrol The Jungle

By Bharat Bikram Dhakal (Rising Nepal)

HOME

April 16, 2005
QUITE a few people would be surprised upon hearing that women patrol the jungle for its conservation. But it is a fact that women have rolled up their sleeves to protect the historically and archaeologically important Kankrebihar jungle. From dawn to dusk, womenfolk of Latikoili VDC of Surkhet district patrol the jungle to preserve it along with the Kankrebihar ruins that lie in it. Everyone-from teenage girls to elderly women- is actively participating in the endeavour.

These women say deforestation and cattle let loose in the jungle for grazing necessitated jungle patrolling. Although Tara Shrestha of Latikoil is in her 60s, she joins others in patrolling the jungle. Tara, who uses a walking stick, says as her asthma aggravates during winter her family members go on patrol in her stead. 64-year-old Kaldevi Dhamala is also involved in conservation despite her frail health. As someone who considers Kankrebihar jungle as her own property and offspring, Kaldevi feels hurt when people scold her, asking: "Is this your father's jungle? Says Kaldevi: "Sometimes we come across people cutting Daleghans (grass) and trees. Our women group has been arresting such people. There have been instances when they (those caught destroying the forest) attempted to attack an old woman like me, but I am not afraid."

These women not only arrest those who feel trees but also confiscate the culprits' sickles and axes and take legal action against them with the help of the District Forest Office. However, they only confiscate the sickles of those caught while cutting grass and go for persuasion. Says Khadga Kumari Bhattarai, a group member: "Most of the people who are caught destroying the jungle are women, although some men are found to be doing so, too."

The women patrollers fear that they might be manhandled while patrolling the jungle. But it seems courage got the better of them. Bhattarai says they go out on patrol in as large a group as possible. However, so far there has not been any untoward incident. These women take turns to patrol the jungle in two or three groups. Although they are usually seen in the jungle in the mornings and the evenings, they also carry out surprise checks in daytime. They have slapped fines on those who engage in deforestation. Says another member of the group Dev Kumari Thapa: "Individuals who commit mistakes for the second time have to pay Rs 501 to the group. But if any member of the group makes a mistake the fine will be Rs 1001." After the enforcement of fines, there has been a significant decline in illegal entry into the forest and irregularities thereof. At times these women run into difficulty while trying to convince people about the consequences of deforestation. These women do not have a proper dwelling, yet they are full of enthusiasm. They are in dire financial straits. Thapa, who is of a poor family, is optimistic about her future in Kankrebihar."In the coming days, tourists will visit this place and our business and living standard will improve. That is why we are conserving our heritage," she says. Although illiterate, she is among those women who are 'aware'.

Women living around Kankrebihar area established the Bhagnawashesh Women's Group in early 2001. Since then they have been patrolling the jungle and punishing the culprits. These women say so far they have confiscated more than 600 sickles and axes. Many of the confiscated tools have been auctioned off. Says the group's manager Bimala Rokaya: "We are now much stronger than in the past. We have been punishing those who perform irregularities in the jungle and encouraging those who are doing a good job." A variety of birds, and small animals and deer are found in the Kankrebihar jungle. The deer, which number around three dozen, occasionally venture outside the jungle in search of food.

Says President of the Women's Group Bindu Karki: "In the absence of protection in the jungle, there was a shortage of food and water for its deer population. But because of the conservation efforts the shortage has been gradually removed. Our another duty involves tree plantation, preservation of food and water for the jungle's birds and animals and protection of natural biodiversity. For this purpose we patrol the jungle." The group's women have realised the need for legal aid to take action against those who misuse the jungle. The District Forest Office says it has been helping them. Forest officer Naresh Thakur reveals that the Kankrebihar area was declared a protected jungle three years ago, and that tree felling there is banned. "Women have been arresting miscreants and handing them over to us. The Forest Office has been helping the Women's Group whenever the need arises," says Thakur.

According to Thakur, 10-12 civil employees at the forest office are being deployed for forest protection. Since the employees and the group began joint patrolling, jungle conservation has improved. For nearly 4 years the Kankrebihar Bio-Diversity and Culture Conservation Project and a local NGO Sustainable Development Fund have been conducting various programmes. The Fund's coordinator Narayan Sapkota says various poverty reduction programme have been launched to give continuity to the group's initiative for jungle conservation and to assist them in their daily lives. As a result, women of poor families have also been able to give some time to conservation.

Local Development Officer Shankar Prasad Poudel says the role of women in the conservation of Kankrebihar is invaluable, and strengthening the campaign further will bring success in bio-diversity protection as well. The Kankrebihar ruins have over 2000 historical stone sculptures, some of which are claimed by archaeologists as the best in South Asia.