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.
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 zoningMaster 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-2Seasonal function Projected vision
