Copy of bcp 18112011 English - Natural Justice

The biocultural community protocol of maldharis of banniOur elders have told us that in 1736, an army from Sindh led by Khaloda Mohammed Mirinvaded Kachchh. Our ancestors were asked by the Maharaja Radheshua-ji of Kachchh tofight with his armies and defend the land from invaders. Though we lost many lives andsuffered much in the ensuing battle, the Maharaja was, with our help, victorious. Toreward our loyalty and valour the Maharaja gave the Maldharis title to the Banni. As wewere pastoralists the Maharaja also decreed that the grasslands should not be used foragriculture.-From an interview with one of the elders of Meghwal Hindus5THE BANNI GRASSLAND0The Banni region, situated at 23 19'N to0 0 023 52'N to 68 56'E to70 32'E is a semi-aridgrassland ecosystem spread over 2600 sqkilometres. It was considered the secondlargest grassland ecosystem in Asia and oncehome to over 40 different species of grass(refer to Annexure 4 for a list of 25 differentspecies of grass that were identified byMaldhari elders and outcomes of theparticipatory grassland mapping process).Banni region was created from the sea as aresult of tectonic activities and its fertility wasthe result of alluvial deposits from the riversthat flowed from the Bhuj mainland andended in the Greater Rann of Kachchh. Theclimate of Banni is arid with a hightemperature in the summer months that go0 0up to a maximum of 48 C -50 C during May-June and a low winter temperature that goes0 0down to 5 C 8 C during December-January.The average annual rainfall, occurringthrough Southwest monsoon between themonths of June to September, is a very low of317mm with a coefficient of variation of 65%.Recurrent droughts, 3 year drought of a 5 yearcycle, is a very common phenomenon inBanni. However in last five years there hasbeen little increase and regularity in rainfall inBanni region.