Copy of bcp 18112011 English - Natural Justice

The biocultural community protocol of maldharis of banni14Besides our rich understanding of thedifferent grasses in Banni and the grazingpatterns we have used to conserve andsustainably use the grassland for centuries,we also have our own unique waterharvesting techniques that enable us tosurvive the harsh Kachchh summers. Duringthe dry season we have a tradition of buildingtemporary wells called virdas that becomethe source of water for both humans andanimals.The digging of a virda is a communal activityand is done by the men of the entire village.Usually the hamlet where the virda is dughosts all the men with food, water and tea tosustain them throughout the day. The virda isusually dug in the summer months after ajheel (a water catchment area or pond) hasdried up but there is still water in the groundin the area of the jheel. The virda is a shallowwell that is dug and lined with logs of woodand Banni grasses. The wood prevents thewell from collapsing and the grasses act asnatural filters cleaning the sediments fromthe water that now flows into the virda fromthe sides.OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE AND DECISION MAKING:We live in hamlets, which are divided alongcaste lines. Hamlets usually consist ofextended families and our elders makedecisions within the hamlets. A few hamletsconstitute a village and the panchayat is thegoverning body at village level. There are 48Maldhari hamlets in Banni and they areorganized under 19 panchayats. Everypanchayat has 5-8 elected representativesfrom village level who hold office for a fixedterm. Maldhari panchayats have united at aregional level as the Banni PanchayatParishad (the Banni Panchayat Association)which is the regional body addressing theissue of continued usufruct rights ofMaldharis to Banni and ensuring thecommunal status of the Banni grasslands.Decisions regarding the certification andmarketing of milk, the Banni buffalo, theKankrej cattle and other related issues aretaken by the Banni Pashu Uccherak MaldhariSangathan (Banni Breeders Association)which has 965 members and an executive of21 members, 19 of whom represent differentMaldhari panchayats and 2 from theMeghwal community.