The Heroes Of Conservation

The role of indigenous peoples and communities is crucial to preserving fragile ecosystems

- Aditi Patil

MY FAVOURITE KIND OF TRAFFIC HALT is one caused by a large flock of sheep on a cloudy monsoon day. We were driving from Bhuj to Mandvi on the approach road to National Highway 41 when we came upon the flock. They seemed to like my father's blue WagonR, which he had lent me for my fieldwork.

The flock moved at its own pace, like changing seasons, brushing against my car, not particularly curious about the vehicle blocking their grazing path. Once in a while, some of them would look up at their shepherd, a leisurely gentleman from the Rabari indigenous community of Gujarat, and blink, seemingly in approval of the route he had taken.

My co-researcher and co-passenger (in the car and life), Manya, clicked some nice pictures of the sheep.

The role of Indian indigenous communities in conservation has largely been ignored. Our school textbooks don't mention them, our wildlife parks have had a history of displacing them, and our caste-based society has always marginalised them. It is shameful that it took me-an upper-caste, ex-software engineer-a career change and a stint in the conservation sector to know more about them and how they help preserve our natural resources. Also known as "Scheduled Tribes" in India, these communities have always lived as one with nature.

I find long drives along the countryside particularly therapeutic. My mind appreciates everything I drive pasttrees, lush farms, sheep, cattle, colourful trucks. For some reason, all the nice things I appreciate on the way remind Manya of work.