We are not poor, we are enriched by the blessings of nature”, Aarey Tribals reply to the Government officials who feel they are poor and helpless.
Art, craft, music, food, cuisine and happiness- there is nothing that can make these rich indigenous tribes of Aarey Colony look impoverished. On the contrary, they are richer than their urban counterparts as they have lush green environs, fresh fruits, fresh air and peace of mind which the city dwellers are deprived of. Spread across 27 padas (hamlets), people from the Warli, Kokna, Mallar Koli, Katkari and several other indigenous tribes residing in the Aarey Colony strive to keep their traditions, cuisine and culture alive, amid the encroaching urbanisation.
If the Draft development plan 2034 greater Mumbai is to be believed, Aarey Colony is touted as the gold mine for ‘developers and real estate’. According to the Draft development plan 2034, there are many zones in Mumbai where development is not allowed, especially because of coastal zone regulations. Such zones will be opened up for development. Out of the 3,355 hectares in the no-development zone, BMC has earmarked 2,100 hectares as well as 330 hectares of salt pan land for affordable housing. It will also open up unutilised land for development, like 1,287 acre of the Aarey Milk Colony.
As the urbanisation rapidly encroaches upon an old mature Aarey forest under the garb of development, a thriving old tribal culture is at the verge of extinction. Tribal people have their own skills and identity, rehabilitating them to some other place where they cannot associate with their roots will have a result similar to failed tree transplantation. Such indigenous people possessing high skill sets cannot be pushed to the categories of factory labourers or unskilled population. In fact, they could tutor the ‘developed’ population in Warli art, exotic forest recipes, traditional dances, games, and festival celebrations.
It is important that the government educates itself in understanding the potential and value the forest communities offer to the nation in terms of culture, economy, knowledge, skills, environment, and diversity. If the government really wants to help these communities, it can help these communities access modern technology & education within their ancestral lands and not by throwing them away from their roots.
For learning more about Aarey tribal life, kindly click the link & watch the beautiful short documentary: