hb11_3

Weak Sacred Groves

Ambemata (Khuniya), Bajothya Mahadev (Rampura), Bhakhariyo Virbavji (Chokibor), Bhakhorbavsi (Piplavalivav), Butiyo Bhakhar (Taleti), Chamunda-Ambemata (Khara), Digmabapji (Padaliya), Dungarpuri (Kantiyavas), Gurubavjino Bhakhro (Gavra), Kagra Bapji (Viramveri), Kalabapji (Bheraji) (Surela), Kengmal Bapji (Dabhchitra), Mahadev Chori), Mahakalivav (Khapra), Virbapji (Kanbiyavas), Virshankar Mahadev (Ghanta), and Visweshwar (Kapasiya).

If anybody is found cutting a tree, the trust or management committee imposes a fine ranging from rupees ten to hundred. Consuming alcohol or meat in sacred grove is strictly prohibited. The offender, if unable to pay the fine is declared pariah by the head.

Rituals and Worships

Religion has played an important role in the evolution of sacred groves. These are considered to be the precincts of the gods. Stone is believed to be the embodiment of the god/goddess and therefore considered sacred in almost all sacred groves. On fulfilment of a wish, an offering of terracotta horses is a tradition. This is prevalent in both strong and weak sacred groves in sanctuary area.

Threats to the Sacred Groves in Sanctuary Area of Balaram-Ambaji and Jessore

In addition to natural stresses such as drought, overgrazing severely affects the regeneration of trees and grasses. Every year thousands of Rabaris’ migrate with their cattle from Rajasthan to North Gujarat. They stay in the villages and forest for seven to eight months. During this period, grazing by their cattle creates an additional pressure on the ecology of the sacred groves. Harvesting of leaves of ‘khakhra’ (Butea monosperma),
‘timru’ (Diospyros melanoxylon), honey and gum by the local inhabitants puts an extra strain on the sacred
groves.

Contd... from HB 11(2): 6, 2000; References of Managing Foot and Mouth Disease Through Innovative Traditions

12. Sembalpani, HB6(4):16,1995

13. Virchand Chowdhary, Solan, HP, Comm: Durgadas Sharma, HB10(4):8,1999

14. Ambavibhai Dubaria, Kutch, Comm: Nanjibhai Makwana, HB2(1):20,1991

15. Manibhai Bhagore, Sabarkantha, Comm: Thakore Ramsinh, HB2(1):21,1991

16. Dahyabhai K Ahir, Jamnagar, Comm: Jayarambhai K Patel, HB2(1):21,1991

17. Comm: Pramod K Jain, HB5(2):13,1994

18. Comm: Pramod K Jain, HB5(2):13,1994

19. Sembalpani, HB6(4):16,1995

20. Narayanan Annamangalam, Tricy, Comm: P. Vivekanandan, HB7(3):9,1996

21. Comm: S K Pradhan, HB10(1):4,1994

22. Panchavarnam, Sivagangai, HB10(3): 8,1999

23. Comm: Shaheen Khan, HB9(2):17,1998

24. Kalusinh Rathod, Mehsana, Comm: Ranjitsinh M Rathod, HB2(1):20,1991

25. Ambavibhai Dubaria, Rapar, Comm: Nanjibhai Makwana, HB2(1):20,1991

26. Comm: Pramao K Jain, HB5(2):13,1994

27. Chhaganbhai Lukarvadia, Amreli, Comm: Thakore Morarji, HB2(1):20,1991

28. Periya Mattu Vadagam, HB5(2):13,1994

29. Sudhirbhai D Prajapati, Banaskantha, HB3(2):20,1992

30. Lakhabhai Bhavnagar, Comm: D Koradiya & Kirit Patel, HB8(2):15,1997

31. Comm: Bhanjibhai B Boliya, HB3(2):20,1992

32. Comm; P Vivekanandan, HB6(4):9,1995

33. Comm: Parmar Kamabhai, HB2(1):20,1991

34. Ambavibhai Dubaria, Kutch, Comm: Nanjibhai Makwana, HB2(1):20,1991

35. Hajabhai Dudharejiya, Surendranagar, Comm: B Deviya, HB2(1):20,1991

36. Javanji Thakarda, Sabarkantha, Comm: Amrutbhai Chavda, HB2(1):20,1991

37. Narayanan Annamangalam, Trichy, Comm: P. Vivekanandan, HB7(3):9,1996

38. Comm; M Selvanayagam, HB3(3&4): 13,1992

39. Atmarambhai Abhibhai, Gandhinagar, Comm: Rathod Vimla, HB4(4):17,1993

40. Maganbhai Hirabhai Patel, Mehsana, Comm: Anilkumar S Patel, HB2(1):20,1991

41. Comm: Pramaod K Jain, HB5(2):13,1994

42. Rosalie Malik, Raigad, Maharashtra, HB10(4):11,1994

Cleland, P.C.; Chamnanpood, P., Baldock, F.C. and Gleeson, L.J. 1995. Questionarie survey of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and of FMD control by Vaccination in villages in northern Thailand. Revue- Scientifique-et-Technique-Office-International-des-Epizooties. 14:3, 567-575.

Dora, J.F.P.; Nunes, J.C.C.; Silveria, J.C.J-da; Jorgens, E.N.; Rosenberg, F.J; Astudillo, V.M.; and Da- Silveira, J.C.G. 1984. Epidemic of foot and mouth disease in Bage, RS, Brazil, 1980. Evaluation of two systems of Vacccination. Boletin-del-Centro-Panaamericano-de-Fiebre-Aftosa. 1984, No. 49-50, 3-9, 11-17.

Lombart, M; Detraz,N; Dauvergne, M; Preaud, J.M. and Mougeot, H. 1987, Identification of European and Asian FMDV strains by subtyping and electrofocussing applied to viral proteins. Foot and Mouth Disease. 17th Conference of the OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Commission. Paris, 1-3 October, 1986. 1987, 196-222

Lorenz, R.J. 1988. A cost effectiveness study on the vaccination against foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the Federal Republic of Germany. Acta-Veterinaria-Scandinavica. 1988, Suppl. 84,427-429: Fifth International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Copenhagen, Denmark, 25-29 July, 1988.

Gupta Anil K and Karma Ura, Indigenous farming, Technologies and Environment: Experience in Bhutan, 1992.

Honey Bee Vol 11(3) July-September 2000
20	*A Dialogue on People's Creativity, Experimentation and Innovation*