By Anita Krishan
Deciding to spend the new year away from the humdrum and noise of the city, I escaped to a remote resort near Alwar. Driving on a rough and broken pebbled road for the last three kilometres, we reached the resort situated on the outer periphery of the Sariska National Park, at the foothills of the Aravalli Hills. In the neighbourhood were a few small villages, sustaining on mixed farming; growing crops and rearing cattle. I was awed by the golden fields of mustard swaying in the mild breeze. Crops of black gram grew intermittently between these mustard fields. In some fields, the rabi crop of wheat had begun to grow tall.
Life on the outskirts of Sariska National Park
[su_pullquote]Apart from the availability of water from a few natural resources- a big lake and a few streams- active water harvesting had also been undertaken here.[/su_pullquote]
Despite being a part of Rajasthan, known primarily for its 290,000 square kilometre area of Thar Desert out of a total area of 301,200 square kilometres, I found this region comparatively green. Apart from the availability of water from a few natural resources- a big lake and a few streams- active water harvesting had also been undertaken here. The water table was at a depth of 15-16 metres, as compared to 80 metres and more in Delhi. In short, the farmers here had been doing well.
On a safari tour of the forest, I noted cattle in the forest, in its buffer zone, and sometimes, even in the deeper parts. A number of buffalo herds, flocks of goats or lonesome cows calmly munched on the greens in the territories that were claimed by the forests tigers or leopards. At one point, just half a kilometre from where I saw the cattle foraging, we spotted a magnificent leopard standing majestically up the hill, surveying the area. It had obviously ventured out on its nocturnal hunting shift. Dont these cows, buffaloes or goats get lifted by the big cats?, I spontaneously posed the question to our guide.
Poor don’t have liquid money to be able to take care of animals nearby. | Image courtesy: UnsplashOf course, they do. And then, it means a big loss to the poor farmers. Each buffalo costs around 50,000 rupees, madam. Park’s tigers kill a number of them. Leopards lift smaller animals, like goats. Even a goat costs around 20,000 rupees.
Oh, what a loss! If they are poor, how do they manage to buy such expensive animals?, I posed my next query.
The owners breed the animals. The cycle of animals death and birth continues within the family. Once in a while, they do take loans to buy an animal or two.
When the closest bank is 40 kilometres away
I have not seen any bank in the area. What are the means of transactions for them? I mean have they gone cashless? Do they own credit or debit cards, and use ATMs?, I enquired. Though the news had been full of the plight of villagers all over the country, I pretended to be ignorant of these problems.
[su_quote]Madam you are joking. These poor farmers do not have bank accounts. Even, I do not have one. It has always been cash dealings for us. We have always relied on moneylenders, be it for buying cattle, seeds, health problems or weddings.[/su_quote]
After a short chortle, he continued, I know what you are implying. It is the cancelling of high currency by the Pradhan Mantri, isnt it?
Without a bank account it must have been difficult for you to go cashless, I commented. I had not spotted a single bank near these villages. Where is the nearest bank located?, I asked.
The closest banks are in Alwar, about 40 kilometres from here. Only a few have managed to open their own accounts..very few. People lack even the basic education here, you know. They find such transactions difficult. Those who have a bit of education and a conveyance, like a scooter or a motorcycle, have been helping others by depositing the money in their accounts and getting the exchange, at five to ten percent commission. This is for the fuel and long wait in the line, they explain. Yet, a loss is a loss, and it is unwarranted.
I agree. I spoke convincingly. That enthused my guide to add more. People had their lifetime savings in their houses, ranging from a few thousand to a lakh or two. The money was kept for emergencies, to buy seeds or for unpredictable illnesses. It suddenly became worthless pieces of paper. The 5-10 percent loss has pinched them badly. He shook his head and sighed.
[su_quote]Worst, for immediate future they dont have much money to buy seeds. The rates of the harvested crop too have drastically fallen. Earnings have dwindled. Villagers are suffering, but waiting for better days to come.[/su_quote]
I nodded and thought, how some ill-planned political decisions can escalate the sufferings of the poor. It is sad that exploiting the poor has now found a new way. Who will come to the rescue of millions of such hardworking poor farmers and villagers who are being openly extorted of their legal money? When will their hardships and inconveniences come to an end?