Patel Sankalpa Sanjay

LA4007

Re-interpreting Barrier

Nal Sarovar is home to a primitive tribe called “PADHAR”, who have migrated from the Sindh area following the trail of Indus. The Padhars believe that their existence is due to the grace of Hinglaj Mata, a primitive goddess who symbolizes water and in turn Nalsarovar. The day to day dependencies and associations to many unique aspects of this bio-cultural landscape including the endemic species of fishes and reeds in Nalsarovar is celebrated in its myths and rituals. A few years ago, an order to restrict the entry of local people into Nalsarovar to stop poaching and other activities were issued by the State government and forest the department, the sense of ownership the Padhars had to the place came into question. The non-inclusive nature of the political reforms to the native tribes led to many conflicts. It also created both a physical and perceived barrier between the tribes, the ancient inhabitants, and the safe-keepers of the landscape and cultural narratives of Nalsarovar. The project aims to re-interpret this barrier, through integrating the tribes as a part of the protection and conservation processes of the wetland. It aims at strengthening their idea of ownership through measures that promote their quality, knowledge, and skills in IKS and LEK.


Report Content

Understanding landscape through soil -mosaic The study looks at understanding the landscape character of this region through the soil as an indicator. As a method, it looks at the classification and property of the soil to explains the distribution of vegetation, wetland, agriculture fields, and wastelands of the area.

Soil and Culture - This stage of study considers three villages near in the lacustrine territories of Nal Sarovar, namely Nani-Kathechi, Moti- Kathechi, Vadla. Study shows the powerful influences of soil on their civilization and livelihood. The further study looks at the interface of resources (Mainly land) and culture,which helps in identifying the issues. The traditional ecological knowledge is captured and preserved in the culture in many layers.

Vision- The issues and barrier of all the communities were identified and further, it looked at one community Called“Padhar community”.Herethe the present condition of community is looked at and their perception of the barrier is understood, which further helps to identify the vision of the project. Vision is to re-interpret a the barrier for the community, the next question was how?To answer this question case studies where done,Which helps to build the project idea and program.

Wetland system and cultural association

Decoding system and zoning

Master plan - The project aims to re-interpret a barrier, here the state norms which have shattered the relationship cycles of Nalsarovar Lake and its primitive inhabitants, the Padhars This is explored through processes that integrate the tribes as a part of the protection and conservation processes of the wetland. It aims at strengthening their idea of association, through the introduction of varying ephemeral landscape units.

Section-1- The project demonstrates different types of systems (Deep-water system, Medium water system, Shallow water system) and their cultural association with a wetland. In a nutshell it demonstrates and preserves -many cultural practices and motifs through better livelihood benefits, maintaining spiritual and cultural values and introducing newer dependencies that are associated with the wetland and create more equitable access to wetland resources, reduces conflicts.

Section-2

Seasonal function

Projected vision