MESMERIZING MANGALAJODI
After organizing a mammoth professional conference, I needed a respite and headed to Mangalajodi village, at the north-western edge of the great Chilika lagoon in Orissa. I have been reading about the conservation efforts in this area and was keen to see it for a while. After an hour’s drive from Bhubaneshwar, I was at the spankingly new Godwit Eco Cottage which has been in operation for just a month. After a sumptuous lunch, I headed to Sri Sri Mahavir Pakshi Suraksha Samiti, where I was warmly received by Ram Behara, clutching a book of Salim Ali. Over the next two days he was my companion, familiarizing me with the rich bird life. We waded through the large stretches of marshes in a small boat and Ram would enthusiastically point out the birds I missed noticing. It was an ethereal experience to amble through the vast stretches of open water in setting sun.
Mangalajodi is a stellar example of conservation which incorporated the needs and aspirations of the local people. A decade back, it was a village of poachers. Virtually all species were trapped or shot, to eat or sell. It was a lucrative business and there was very little that authorities could do to stem it…till a NGO, Wild Orissa stepped in. Due to the persuasive efforts of Sri Nand Kishore Bhujbal their attitude slowly began to change and Sri Sri Mahavir Pakshi Suraksha Samiti (Bird Protection Committee) was constituted by the villagers themselves in 2000. Its efforts have almost completely eliminated bird poaching and some the poachers have turned into protectors! By protecting the life in Mangalajodi Marshes, this initiative is ushering in a paradigm shift in the way communities can relate to endangered wetlands. It is also a stellar example as to how conservation and tourism can work together seamlessly. I spent several hours in the company of Mr Bhujbal and was touched and inspired by his quiet determination, persistent zeal and concern for the environment as well as the livelihood of the community.
Mangalajodi is a stellar example of conservation which incorporated the needs and aspirations of the local people. A decade back, it was a village of poachers. Virtually all species were trapped or shot, to eat or sell. It was a lucrative business and there was very little that authorities could do to stem it…till a NGO, Wild Orissa stepped in. Due to the persuasive efforts of Sri Nand Kishore Bhujbal their attitude slowly began to change and Sri Sri Mahavir Pakshi Suraksha Samiti (Bird Protection Committee) was constituted by the villagers themselves in 2000. Its efforts have almost completely eliminated bird poaching and some the poachers have turned into protectors! By protecting the life in Mangalajodi Marshes, this initiative is ushering in a paradigm shift in the way communities can relate to endangered wetlands. It is also a stellar example as to how conservation and tourism can work together seamlessly. I spent several hours in the company of Mr Bhujbal and was touched and inspired by his quiet determination, persistent zeal and concern for the environment as well as the livelihood of the community.
