In recent news, on July 18, 2023, Agariyas, also known as saltpan workers, have submitted a representation to the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The subject of contention is the instructions from the forest department that have curbed their access into the Little Rann of Kutch.
The Forest Department Order’s Context and Implications
Understanding the order necessitates an exploration into the past. The Little Rann of Kutch was recognized as a wild ass sanctuary back in 1972. A settlement survey was carried out in 1997, allowing for salt cultivation and leasing land to the saltpan workers. However, the traditional agariyas were overlooked and deprived of the settlement survey’s benefits.
In the present, this settlement survey is under the scrutiny of the Gujarat High Court and the National Green Tribunal, aiming at resolving issues related to land-poaching activities.
The Defence Pointers Raised by the Agariyas
The Agariyas have raised meaningful arguments in their defence. Their points revolve around the growth of the wild ass population versus man-animal conflict and the land usage by saltpan workers.
The census data demonstrates a substantial increase in the wild ass population, which has escalated from 700 in 1973 to 6,082 in 2019. Interestingly, this data dismisses the existence of any man-animal conflict in the Wild Ass Sanctuary due to the activities of the Saltpan workers.
As for land usage, saltpan workers employ only 6% of the total area for salt cultivation in the Little Rann of Kutch, which is insignificant in both quantity and space.
Concerns have also been raised against inadequate surveying. In meetings conducted at 16 out of 100-125 villages, the names of 95% of the 8000 families of agariyas were wiped off by forest department officials. It’s worth noting that most of the agariyas recorded in the settlement survey report are not even alive anymore.
An Overview of the Saltpan Workers
The Koli, Sandhi, and Miyana communities, residing around the Little Rann of Kutch in North Gujarat, Kutch, and Saurashtra regions, constitute the saltpan workers. These communities rely on salt cultivation in the area and have been engaged in this profession for 600-700 years, dating back to British rule.
Insights into the Wild Ass Sanctuary
Situated in the Little Rann of Kutch of Gujarat State in India, the Wild Ass Sanctuary is the sole habitat of the Indian wild ass, locally known as Khacchar. The sanctuary also houses a considerable population of Rabari and Bhar wad tribes.
A Closer Look at the Indian Wild Ass
The Indian Wild Ass, or Khacchar, is a sub-species of the Asian Wild Ass, scientifically named Equus hemionus. The species is notable for its distinguished white markings on the front part of its rump, the rear part of its shoulder, and a stripe down the back.
The last population of the Indian Wild Ass is confined to the Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat. The creature is naturally suited to desert and grassland ecosystems. Its conservation status is classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by IUCN, listed under Appendix II of CITES, and falls under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
Reference to Agariyas in UPSC Civil Services Exam
The Agariya community was mentioned in the previous year’s question (2009) in the UPSC Civil Services Exam. The question was: “Among the following, who is the Agaria Community?” The choices provided were a traditional toddy tappers community of Andhra Pradesh, a traditional fishing community of Maharashtra, a traditional silk-weaving community of Karnataka, and the right answer was – a traditional salt pan workers community of Gujarat.
