Jaisalmer: A significant number of solar and windmill projects are being established on land that should have been recorded as Oran land in govt records. This situation has prompted environmentalists and locals to demand that the district’s Oran grazing land be officially recorded. As part of their ongoing protest, villagers in Jaisalmer have started boycotting rural camps organised in their areas. On Thursday and Friday, more than 20 village panchayats in the district boycotted these rural service camps. On Friday evening, villagers and environmentalists held a silent march from Gadisar Square to the District Collector’s office. The indefinite sit-in protest continued for the fourth day on Friday, with many environmentalists present at the protest site. During this period, the protesters conducted prayer and wisdom rituals for the state govt and administration, chanting slogans to save Oran and grazing lands.Environmental activist Sumer Singh Sawanta stated that files prepared to record Oran land in revenue records have been gathering dust with the district administration for the past two years. He accused the administration of handing over millions of bighas of land to private companies, resulting in the destruction of forests. On Friday, all environmentalists held a silent march to express their opposition to the govt. He alleged that the district administration, under pressure from private companies, is not recording these Orans in the revenue records, which is increasing resentment among environmentalists and locals. Oran and grazing lands are not only vital for livestock grazing but also serve as sanctuaries for the environment and wildlife. Without their protection, Jaisalmer’s ecology could face a severe crisis in the future. He demanded that Jaisalmer’s ponds, catchment areas, and other lands be recorded in the revenue records, including wells, stepwells, and other water bodies.He mentioned that the boycott of rural service camps initiated by the state govt was observed in several panchayats, including Raghwa, Chandhan, Khiya, Hamira, Sankhla, Nehdai Kohra, Bhadli, Raymala, Khivsar, Punam Nagar, Rupsi, Asakandra, Pithla, Tejarawa, Baiya, and Bhaisada. In these village panchayats, villagers boycotted the camps and submitted memorandums to village development officers, demanding that Oran lands be recorded in the revenue records.Environmental activist Bhopal Singh Jhaloda stated that environmentalists are demanding that Jaisalmer’s rivers, streams, and their catchment areas be recorded. Oran and grazing lands not yet recorded should be entered into the revenue records. Historical sites like chhatris, paliyas, devlis, lotiyas, govardhans, inscriptions, and patiyals should also be documented.
Villagers boycott camps, seek records of oran land | Jaipur News
