Jaisalmer: A people’s movement to protect Jaisalmer’s traditional Oran land has moved from marches and sit-ins to the ballot box, with activists deciding to contest the upcoming Zila Parishad elections as independents to make conservation of these community lands the central poll issue.
Team Oran, which has been campaigning for protection of Oran land and its inclusion in revenue records, plans to field candidates on all 21 Zila Parishad seats in the district. Election to the Jaisalmer zila parishad will be held on Nov 14 in the fourth phase of panchayat polls in Rajasthan. The group says it does not want to depend on political parties or their symbols, and will instead take the issue directly to voters.
On Tuesday, Rekha Kanwar, related to a member of Team Oran, filed her nomination from Chandhan Zila Parishad constituency at the district collector’s office. Ram Singh Bhati of Rajgarh also filed his nomination from Zila Parishad Ward No. 13. On Monday, environmental activist Devi Singh Bhadoria had filed his nomination from Ward No. 18, marking the start of the campaign.Bhopal Singh Jhalora, associated with the Oran movement, said the campaign was not a conventional bid for power but an effort to protect Jaisalmer’s water, forests, land and future generations.“Our struggle is not for power but for the self-respect and rights of Jaisalmer. We will field candidates associated with the Oran movement as independents on all 21 Zila Parishad seats,” he said.Orans are traditionally protected sacred groves and community pasture lands in Rajasthan’s western desert region, and, according to Rajasthan Forest Department, important examples of biodiversity conservation and traditional community-led protection systems. Linked to local deities, religious beliefs and centuries-old customs, they support indigenous trees such as Khejri and Rohida, provide habitat for wildlife and birds, serve as fodder banks for livestock and help conserve rainwater.Sumer Singh Sawanta, coordinator of the Oran movement, said environmentally conscious residents had decided to enter the electoral arena themselves to hold the govt accountable. He said all political parties contesting the elections should clearly state their position on recording Oran land in revenue records and ensuring its protection.
