Baripada .. Story of Transformation

If you want to know any about country, you need to meet it's local people, have there food  be a part of there Celebration. Travelling gives you that opportunity and travelling is one  I am good at. Mention of the love for Travel here has a great significance. This has set me on rather advanturous Local Travel to a Small Adivasi Village Called Baripada.. an interiour village in Nandurbar District , Maharashtra.

Baripada is a small village located on the border of Maharashtra and Gujarat, about 400 km from Mumbai.Effect of Deforestation could be clearly seen in this area. Once a lush green area was now facing problems of availability of Food, Water etc. It was almost a drought like situation in the area. But nothing is Impossible if you are ready to do hardwork . Well in case of Baripada determination and hardwork of Shri. Chaitram Pawar and his team of dedicated workers have brought the transformation. The drought like area has literally transformed into think forest cover. 



With the help of villagers Forest Protection Committee (FPC)  was formed . Villagers were the members of the committee and it was rotated every year so that each and every family in village will get its stake . A decision was taken to protect 450 hectares of land and a contribution of Rs 3 per home was collected.Punishments were given for cutting trees and those who took steps for protection were awarded. It was decided that nobody from the village or outside the village would be allowed to enter the forest with a bullock cart for any reason. Two most elderly persons would work as a watchmen and report to FPC. 50 acres of the forest land was set aside for grazing. During winter, villagers were allowed to use dry wood for fuel requirements.


One more intresting activity has started during this process was to held a Competition of Locally grown Vegitables Called as वनभाजी महोत्सव /Vanbhaji Mohotsav. This competition now takes place every year in first or second week of October.  Women in baripada and another surrounding area showcase a lovely spreads of seasonal vegetables grown in forest naturally. 

They are marked on various scales, like Name of vegitable, Its medicinal property, method of cooking and yes personal and Family hygine Habbits too.  Team FPC requested us to be a Judge of the competition... 

Felt Amazed and trapped by what came across to me .. It had 43.. Yes forty three vegitables prepared and displayed beautifully .  They have recorded list of 70 variety of Vegitables here, More than 90% of the spread was trip if mystryland for me. Never heard, never tasted and never immagined delocousies were amongst them. 

We had vegitable made from Honeycomb, Extreemly Bitter root call " Kadu Karand"( You need to find this, peel it ., clean it and Keep in Running Water Stream for 2 days before prepping it ) , Amla, and Variety of Berries and leafy vegitables .. All Awesome. 

Thanks to the team of Mr. Pawar and his teams systematic guideline for Judging the competetion , It made our Task of Judging bit easy.  

In all what I witnessed the celebration of simple life...Our Adivadis are so full of life... and have there unique adaption to the nature...Of course they consider themselves as soils son...धरतीची लेकर.. I was fortunate to be a part of there वनभाजी महोत्सव. It is the team effort that this is the 12th year that they are conducting this activity.... Looking forward to be a part of this for many more years .