Tharu Tribe of Dudhwa A Remarkable Example of Human-Wildlife Coexistence
TerraGreen|May 2022
In this article, Mudit Gupta takes us through his vivid experiences during his service in Dudhwa where he got an opportunity to understand Tharu community and engaged with them on wildlife conservation aspects.
Mudit Gupta
Tharu Tribe of Dudhwa A Remarkable Example of Human-Wildlife Coexistence

Situated in the Terai of Uttar Pradesh, Dudhwa does not need any introduction. Dudhwa's dense forest, extensive grasslands, wetlands and floral and faunal diversity with many rare species is a unique world in itself. The northern border of Dudhwa is inhabited by the 'Tharu Tribe' whose inhabitants are witness to the glorious history of this magnificent forest area for last several hundreds of years. The Tharu community describes itself as the descendant of the great Rajput King Maharana Pratap. As per the legends, when Pratap was fighting a pitched battle with the Mughals, the women from the households had fled with their household helps to far away land at the Indo-Nepal border to avoid being captured. Eventually, they settled in this region with their helps and married them.

It is said that due to the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, this tribe got its name 'Tharu'. Tharu tribe members consider themselves an integral part of Dudhwa and their belief and faith for Dudhwa's forest is incomparable. With the passage of time, there has been a lot of change in the lifestyle, dressing, food and agricultural practices of Tharu society. But to a large extent, their affection and attachment towards the forests and wildlife are still intact. Human–tiger conflicts have been a major issue that the communities in the region have been dealing with since time immemorial. Conflict situations often resulted in deaths from either side. Their high dependence on agriculture often results in tigers attacking livestock leading to retaliation from the community.

This story is from the May 2022 edition of TerraGreen.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2022 edition of TerraGreen.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TERRAGREENView All
Enhancing Green Cover in HP
TerraGreen

Enhancing Green Cover in HP

Not too long ago, a vast stretch of approximately ten acres of forest land in Parohi and Sangirthi of Bandladhar in the Bilaspur zone of Himachal Pradesh remained barren. The terrain was rocky, with minimal soil depth, making the idea of growing trees there seem implausible. However, today, this unproductive land is transforming into a verdant landscape, with 11,000 saplings of various tree species taking root. Sarita Brara informs that this transformation is attributed to the state government's Mukhya Mantri Van Vistaar Yojana (MMVVY), which aims to enhance green cover across thousands of hectares of barren forest land throughout the state. The MMVVY was officially introduced in 2023.

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2024
AI Writing, Illustration Emits Much Less Carbon than Humans
TerraGreen

AI Writing, Illustration Emits Much Less Carbon than Humans

With the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) comes discussion of the technology's environmental impact. A new study has found that for the tasks of writing and illustrating, AI emits hundreds of times less carbon than humans performing the same tasks. That does not mean, however, that AI can or should replace human writers and illustrators, the study's authors argue.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
Celebrating 'Solar Sisterhood' Power
TerraGreen

Celebrating 'Solar Sisterhood' Power

On International Women's Day (March 8), Ashden highlighted the women who made renewable energy happen especially among the world's poorer communities where energy access posed significant challenges. The theme for this year's International Women's Day was 'Inspire Inclusion.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
Redefining Development in Tune with Nature
TerraGreen

Redefining Development in Tune with Nature

A worldwide congress of individuals synonymous with practising ancient traditional values in the eastern part of Assam, in northeast India, has emerged as a major platform for converging diverse cultures, emphasizing the preservation of ancient traditions, ecological sustainability, and collaborative governance. Through this article, Nava Thakuria informs us that the 8th Triennial International Conference and Gathering of World Elders of Ancient Traditions also adopted the 'Dibrugarh Declaration, which unequivocally states that ancient wisdom profoundly views human beings as an integral part of the natural ecosystem, rather than as masters.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2024
Surprising Role of Manganese In Soil Carbon Sequestration
TerraGreen

Surprising Role of Manganese In Soil Carbon Sequestration

A recent study reveals an unexpected link between manganese-a naturally occurring mineral-and increased carbon emissions from high-latitude boreal forests. The study uncovers how manganese increases carbon emissions from boreal forest soil, over time, challenging conventional understanding of the role of manganese in the carbon cycle.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
India's Quest towards a Green Future With Green Initiatives and Climate Action
TerraGreen

India's Quest towards a Green Future With Green Initiatives and Climate Action

The interim budget of India for 2024-25 has placed significant emphasis on the green economy and investments aimed at combating climate change. These announcements are poised to reinforce India's prior endeavours in this direction. In this article, Sameeksha delves into concepts such as the green economy and climate action, highlighting that through its various initiatives, India has made significant progress towards the target of net zero emissions without compromising its economic development in less than a decade. These steps are expected to have a long-lasting impact, and the rapid growth of the country, coupled with green initiatives, will pave the way for a new era of prosperity.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2024
Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme
TerraGreen

Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme

Dr Krishna Kumari, Forestry Faculty, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay College of Horticulture and Forestry, Dr Rajender Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar along with Supriya Rai, a third-year student pursuing BSc in Forestry at the same university, engage in a discussion regarding the objectives and benefits of the IFWCS.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
Decreasing Emissions with Sustainable Practices
TerraGreen

Decreasing Emissions with Sustainable Practices

In this article, Sanjay Gupta highlights the significant role of the construction sector in global greenhouse gas emissions. The construction industry accounts for 19 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions mainly result from energy consumption, material production, transportation, and the construction process itself. Nevertheless, there is optimism for the future, as technological advancements and increasing environmental awareness are driving the transition towards a more sustainable construction industry. Through the incorporation of innovative solutions, this sector has the potential to exert a strong influence on environmental consciousness. For the journey ahead, industry players should come together and unite in taking a collective responsibility against climate change to shape a world that is environmentally pure for generations to come.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
Seeds of Contamination
TerraGreen

Seeds of Contamination

Microplastic pollution in terrestrial environments poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health.

time-read
8 mins  |
March 2024
Green Budgeting - A Pioneering Initiative in Puducherry
TerraGreen

Green Budgeting - A Pioneering Initiative in Puducherry

Governments worldwide are recognizing the imperative to balance economic development with ecological responsibility. Article by Balaji details the pertinence of green budget. The text has been authenticated by the case study of the Government of Puducherry whereby the UT has made noteworthy efforts in the upward allocation of green funds to strengthen climate resilience.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024