To shoot a Common Redshank
with a 70-300mm is a very difficult proposition, the bird is quite alert and
wary not only that he creates a ruckus if seen and the sharp alarm call is
enough for en mass exodus of the flock. Ohmygodwearebeingattacked…Ohmygodwearebeingattacked…spread
the word. Its irritation value is similar to Lapwing. They have keen eyes and
locate the prey that includes little fishes, molluscs, crustaceans so on,
unlike many waders. So I hid myself behind an elevated sand dune along the
water body and wait for him to amble by. Sure he did and so some great
pictures.
Common Redshank (Tringa tetanus) is a migrant
from Europe and upper Himalayas, wintering in the plains of Indian
subcontinent. The distinctive feature of this bird is their bright orange-red
legs, they also have a medium-length bill with an orange base to match.
The
tradition of conserving water: water is the most
precious commodity in desert and the people of state 
of Rajasthan have some very
innovative ways of conserving water. I was at Chand Baori in Abhaneri village
that lies between Bharatpur and Jaipur near Dausa. It’s about 2-3 hours on bus
from Bharatpur side while about 2hours from Jaipur, and about 10km inside from
the highway. Baori or bavdi is a stepwell, Chand Baori was built during 8-9th
century (since I have no concern for kings and dynasties therefore I don’t
mention it, further when you say it was built by so and so king, the reality is
it was not built by him, it was his property but the structure was built by the artisans who were talented
but remain unknown, who made it happen. Reference to king and dynasties is
skewed history, and reflects feudal mind).
of Rajasthan have some very
innovative ways of conserving water. I was at Chand Baori in Abhaneri village
that lies between Bharatpur and Jaipur near Dausa. It’s about 2-3 hours on bus
from Bharatpur side while about 2hours from Jaipur, and about 10km inside from
the highway. Baori or bavdi is a stepwell, Chand Baori was built during 8-9th
century (since I have no concern for kings and dynasties therefore I don’t
mention it, further when you say it was built by so and so king, the reality is
it was not built by him, it was his property but the structure was built by the artisans who were talented
but remain unknown, who made it happen. Reference to king and dynasties is
skewed history, and reflects feudal mind). 
Chand Baori is a four sided tiered carved stone stepwell that is about 100ft deep, three sides have 3500 steps arranged in a zigzag manner creating a visually spectacular image, Eschersque effect (after MC Escher 1898-1972, known for mathematically inspired work, he created art with polygons or regular shapes such as triangles, squares, and hexagons). The exquisite creation looks anything but a well, it not only served as reservoirs to store water for summers but also was centre for social gathering and cultural events as the temperature here was much lower than the surrounding. While one side is kind of a temple with spaces for cultural programs, the steps also converts to places to sit. The pavilions have aesthetic carvings and sculptures, and stage for performance art. Chand Baori is also the site for many movies, including, the popular Hollywood movie The Dark Knight Rises.
Other famous step wells include Adalaj Vav (near Ahmedabad), Rani ki ji Baori (near Bundi
Rajasthan), Agrasen ki Baoli (in Delhi).
A day later I was in
Alwar, and had plans to visit Tarun
Bharat Sangh (TBS), an NGO initiated by 
‘waterman’ Rajendra Singh, that
sought to revive traditional water harvesting and conservation methods. Over the
years they have been immensely successful, even reviving dead rivers. TBS is about 2hours from Alwar city, the route
passes through the famous Sariska Tiger sanctuary. The volunteer at the TBS was
quite an enthusiastic fellow, who, as is the tradition around here, asked
whether I had my breakfast. I had forgotten about it so was enthused, there is
a common eating place, meant for students and researchers as well as visitors. Food
was basic but tasty. Later I was shown around, they have created a Baori in the vicinity as also an Anicut,
all these were explained to me. TBS has been instrumental in reviving Johads (water storage tanks) or earthen
check dams a traditional method to 
catch and conserve rainwater, leading to
improved percolation and groundwater recharge. There is a small library here on
these matters. The volunteer explained to me about the miracle of converting
deserts into forests, indeed the place has lot many bird species including an Asian
grey hornbill that made its presence felt from the top of the tree under which
we sat!! Their activities have brought
water back to more than 1,000 villages – spread over 6500 sq. km, and revived 5
rivers in Rajasthan – Arvari, Ruparel, Sarsa, Bhagani and Jahajwali.
River Ruparel, that went dead, has started flowing again after a span
of three decades. River Arvari which became perennial by 1995, was
awarded the `International River Prize’. There is
a map depicting all these rivers which was shown to me.
‘waterman’ Rajendra Singh, that
sought to revive traditional water harvesting and conservation methods. Over the
years they have been immensely successful, even reviving dead rivers. TBS is about 2hours from Alwar city, the route
passes through the famous Sariska Tiger sanctuary. The volunteer at the TBS was
quite an enthusiastic fellow, who, as is the tradition around here, asked
whether I had my breakfast. I had forgotten about it so was enthused, there is
a common eating place, meant for students and researchers as well as visitors. Food
was basic but tasty. Later I was shown around, they have created a Baori in the vicinity as also an Anicut,
all these were explained to me. TBS has been instrumental in reviving Johads (water storage tanks) or earthen
check dams a traditional method to catch and conserve rainwater, leading to
improved percolation and groundwater recharge. There is a small library here on
these matters. The volunteer explained to me about the miracle of converting
deserts into forests, indeed the place has lot many bird species including an Asian
grey hornbill that made its presence felt from the top of the tree under which
we sat!! Their activities have brought
water back to more than 1,000 villages – spread over 6500 sq. km, and revived 5
rivers in Rajasthan – Arvari, Ruparel, Sarsa, Bhagani and Jahajwali.
River Ruparel, that went dead, has started flowing again after a span
of three decades. River Arvari which became perennial by 1995, was
awarded the `International River Prize’. There is
a map depicting all these rivers which was shown to me.
Rajendra Singh is quite
an inspirational figure, also called Johadwala
Baba (bearded man of check dams), apart from water harvesting initiatives he
has been actively involved in documentation of medicinal plants and 
their uses
in traditional medicine. As their website mentions “Rajendra Singh also led a
campaign and a struggle against the destructive consequences of mining in the
Aravali hills. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, on the basis of a
Supreme Court Order of 1991, issued orders banning mining in the Aravali Hills
system. With a view to ensuring that this order was observed, Rajendra Singh
launched a movement to mobilise people He also organised an Aravali Bachao Yatra from Himmatnagar in
Gujarat to Delhi. Thousands of people participated in this yatra. As a
consequence of this mobilisation, the Rajasthan Govt. closed nearly one
thousand mines in the whole of Rajasthan, 470 of which were in and around
Sariska. The workers rendered jobless due to the closure of the mines were
rehabilitated through water and forest conservation activities and rural
development, like animal husbandry, agriculture and through different types of
employment generation activities initiated by Tarun Bharat Sangh”.
Feted nationally and internationally Rajendra Singh is also been awarded prestigious Magsaysay award for his social works. Truly an amazing man.
their uses
in traditional medicine. As their website mentions “Rajendra Singh also led a
campaign and a struggle against the destructive consequences of mining in the
Aravali hills. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, on the basis of a
Supreme Court Order of 1991, issued orders banning mining in the Aravali Hills
system. With a view to ensuring that this order was observed, Rajendra Singh
launched a movement to mobilise people He also organised an Aravali Bachao Yatra from Himmatnagar in
Gujarat to Delhi. Thousands of people participated in this yatra. As a
consequence of this mobilisation, the Rajasthan Govt. closed nearly one
thousand mines in the whole of Rajasthan, 470 of which were in and around
Sariska. The workers rendered jobless due to the closure of the mines were
rehabilitated through water and forest conservation activities and rural
development, like animal husbandry, agriculture and through different types of
employment generation activities initiated by Tarun Bharat Sangh”. Feted nationally and internationally Rajendra Singh is also been awarded prestigious Magsaysay award for his social works. Truly an amazing man.
From my scribble pad…
The resume reader
The
stamp size shot doesn’t show the anguish
the
uncertain future and a terrible forecast.
The
dates don’t show the days
of
jovial waywardness, and
silences
of the moment.
The
qualification doesn’t tell the lessons learnt
and
unlearnt, the talent of the lane.
The
fake formalities hide a sinister plot
of
what is accepted and demanded.
The
light drone of air conditioner
doesn’t
conceal the beats the little heart endures
and
waits for flash of flight
to
the next branch
up
and away.
