PELICANS AT BARACHAKA :BANKURA
Pelicans
have come to Barachaka. ‘May God with us this year’- Pranotosh
Tudu whispered. ‘They are our guests. So long they are withus we are
not afraid of drought. Don’t you see that we getting abundant rains
since their arrival. Lake is full with water. We shall harvest more paddy
this year. Ghungru is with us,”- At a first conversation you may be
puzzled with Tudus’ words. No, heis not alone all the members of
Barachaka speak in the same voice. Ghungru is the nick-name of
Pelicansthere. An old lady sitting in a cot asked us to sit by her.
She was telling the story. It wasabout four decades back there
wereconsecutive droughts in Bankura. They all suffered in absence
of rain. Suddenly, a group of birds arrived in their
village.Co-incidentally there was downpour. Adibasis thought that
Burima (deity) - has favored them at last. There is a sacred grove at
the end of village. Within a week thousands and thousands pelicans came
and took shelter in the trees of the grove. The Pahan declared those
birds are harbinger.They are sent by God. They got the link between
pelican;s arrival and rains. All the members began to watch them. They
kept strong vigilance so that poachers do not hurt the birds. Tribal
took vows not to kill them or touch their flesh. God’s emissary is
indeed sacred to them. Thus, Pelicans found a safe place. The most
amazing is that tribal promised not catch fish in the lake adjacent
tovillages. Pelicans were happy catching fish there. Thousands and
thousands swim in the lake freely- no enemy is there to disturb their
life style. Sooner the birds recognized Barachaka as a haven. Myths
surrounded the innocent tribal. This belief is going on. Tribal wait
for their coming.
Pelicans now move to the roofs ofhouses. They chirp in a distinct voice. Children enjoy Pelicans. This is rare any where, Co-existence of men andbirds is not seen any where. The birdsstay for about six months. During this period they lay eggs, hatch them and make them adults. By this time winterstarts and pelicans leave Barachaka. Pelican;s departure coincides paddy-harvest .
Pelicans come during rainy season. This time water flows in the lands, creeks and rivers. This helps Pelicans catching fish, snails ,frogs etc. easily. Pelicans know that during winter there will be shortage of food and thus they leave for other places where rain starts.
Barachaka is ideally situated .It is five k.ms away from Chhatna and near to Susunia hill and G.Ghati. Natural topography ,flora &fauna here magnetize all. I hope, Eco-based tourism could be developed here with minimum cost.
Pelicans now move to the roofs ofhouses. They chirp in a distinct voice. Children enjoy Pelicans. This is rare any where, Co-existence of men andbirds is not seen any where. The birdsstay for about six months. During this period they lay eggs, hatch them and make them adults. By this time winterstarts and pelicans leave Barachaka. Pelican;s departure coincides paddy-harvest .
Pelicans come during rainy season. This time water flows in the lands, creeks and rivers. This helps Pelicans catching fish, snails ,frogs etc. easily. Pelicans know that during winter there will be shortage of food and thus they leave for other places where rain starts.
Barachaka is ideally situated .It is five k.ms away from Chhatna and near to Susunia hill and G.Ghati. Natural topography ,flora &fauna here magnetize all. I hope, Eco-based tourism could be developed here with minimum cost.
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