Talala (Gir-Somnath): More than lions, it is the fear of 25-year-old Madhu Karangiya that stalks villagers near Gir Sanctuary in Talala. They say it is possible to stave off a lion attack but no one can escape the watchful eyes of this woman forester who has been relentlessly fighting to ward off encroachers who try to grab forest land.
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Madhu, who is posted in Ghansh Round beat in Talala forest range of Gir-West division, has been instrumental in clearing encroachments like pucca houses and orchards from nearly 39 hectare forest land in the Asiatic lions' last abode. In fact, the forest land near villages like Ramlechi, Jepur, Chitravad and Dhanech have been cleared of orchards and houses that were illegally built. The same area is now rejuvenated with various flora and fauna.
Madhu, a native of Bamansha village near Keshod, is responsible for protecting the lions and forest in the 22 sq km area. She was one of the three members of Gir Protection Team, which received 'Sanctuary Asia Award' last year.
The award citation reads: “Madhu Karangiya's dedication to her job as forester has never even momentarily faltered. Karangiya has cleared over 39 hectare of encroachment into the forest land, made arrests on offences of illegal entry and unauthorized grazing and followed thro ugh with the collection of fine.'' Madhu's dedication to wildlife protection may have won accolades but her crackdown has obviously not gone down well with the wrongdoers and even some netas, who stooped to terrible lows in their public discourse.
During the Talala by-elections held in May , some local politicians had termed her as an “animal“. “Election pachhi Madhu namnu prani anhiya nahi hoy (After elections, this animal named Madhu won't be here),“ some local netas had said, while canvassing. The anger stems from the fact that Madhu did not hesitate taking action against her own community members who had encroached upon the forest land.
In fact, after encroachments were cleared in the villages, a local even lodged a complaint against her alleging that she had beaten him at his house. The forest department moved the Gujarat HC and Madhu got a stay on her arrest and chargesheet.
Vijaysinh Parmar is principal correspondent at The Times of India...
Read MoreVijaysinh Parmar is principal correspondent at The Times of India, Rajkot, and reports on the Saurashtra and Kutch regions. Apart from regular assignments in Rajkot, he travels extensively in rural area to report on the "other Gujarat". He reported on the drinking water crisis in interiors of the state in 2008, forcing the government to swing into action. He has also reported on the practice of untouchability still prevalent in parts of Gujarat.
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