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Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been...

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been reduced to an annual ritual of tree-planting drives and clicking selfies for social media, though 90 pc of the saplings don’t survive even a day. “Only the government knows where those trees really are,” said Raj sternly. He recalled a "Blueprint of Maharashtra’s Development" he had proposed in 2015, in which he advocated how development without environmental sensitivity is hollow. Justifying, he said that the consequences are visible where roads, bridges and infrastructure projects are hailed as achievements, but even a short spell of rainfall can paralyze entire cities. Referring to recent reports on farmers returning from the fields after 10 am due to the scorching heat, Raj said that the worsening climate crisis has become an everyday reality. Citing official statistics, Raj claimed that extreme heat has caused productivity losses of nearly USD 159 billion and slashing of 160 billion work-hours annually in recent years. He mentioned the World Bank estimates that India’s GDP could plummet by 2.5-4.5 pc while 57 pc of the country’s districts sheltering 76 pc of the population stare at serious climate-related crises. Taking a swipe, he said while the governments boast about growth figures and economical rankings, they are silent on the staggering costs of environmental destruction. He questioned the development model “whether flooded cities, washed-away crops and unbearable summers” genuinely indicate progress. Claiming that Maharashtra was increasingly becoming unliveable for upto 8 months in a year, he said excessive monsoon rains disrupt rural life and urban floods cripple cities, while extreme heat make normal life a torture in summers in both urban-rural areas. Targeting the Centre, Raj alleged that nearly 173,984 hectares of forest lands were diverted in the past 11 years for mining and infrastructure projects to benefit the PM’s single favourite Adani Group. He said that these lands amount to 1,730 sqkm, or equivalent to the area of 16 Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) that is spread over barely 104 sqkm. Dissolve state wildlife board: Aaditya Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray has accused the Maharashtra government for issuing a permit to carry out mining activity in the sensitive tiger corridor between the Tadoba-Andhari and Indravati sanctuaries housing the big striped cats. In a strongly-worded letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Member-Secretary Sanjay Kumar, Thackeray sought his immediate personal intervention, sacking the Maharashtra State Board for Wild-Life (SBWL), revoking the permit, and probe against the Chief Wildlife Warden & Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M. Srinivasa Reddy for the alleged lacunae. Aditya’s two-pager says the permit has been granted for “scientific exploration and excavation/systematic recovery of low-grade iron ore in existing mines in villages Hedri, Bande, Parsalgondi and Round Parsalgondi, in the Etapalli taluka of Gadchiroli district”. Last January, Aditya – MLA from Worli – had first raised the issue saying that the proposed mine would create only 120 jobs, including 32 permanent, and the estimated output is pegged at 1.1 million tons in a year. Referring to two letters of Reddy – on April 28 and May 21 – the SS (UBT) leader claimed that in communications to the state government, the PCCF had changed his stance on the issue. Aditya said that in the first letter, Reddy had effectively opposed the government plans for mining activity but in the second letter, he took a somersault, ostensibly due to government pressures or some commercial interests, “the U-turn is disgraceful and detrimental to India’s national interest” – and this abrupt shift in stance must be investigated thoroughly. In view of the contrary stance of the PCCF Reddy, entrusted with protecting the wildlife but failing to defend the NTCA and NBWL, point to serious malfunctioning of the SBWL, and hence it must be dissolved, besides reviewing all its decisions in the past three years, particularly those pertaining to hazardous activities in sensitive areas, demanded Aditya. 444 tigers roam in 11,000 sq.km As per the Status of Tiger Report (2002), and the Maharashtra Economic Survey 2025-2026, the state boasts of 444 tigers prowling in the wild along with other menacing creatures. The state’s total protected wildlife network of 88 Notified Areas of National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves - including 6 dedicated to the striped big cats – is spread over 11,092 sq. kms as per current data.

Malegaon Yatra: A Grand Confluence of Devotion, Culture and Commerce

Marathwada is a land sanctified by saints and valor, and nestled within this historic region is Malegaon village in Loha tehsil of Nanded district. Malegaon hosts one of the most vibrant and culturally rich fairs in South India. Beginning on Margashirsha Amavasya, the annual Malegaon Yatra has commenced this year on Thursday (December 18) and will continue till December 25.


With a legacy spanning nearly four centuries, the Malegaon fair has held exceptional importance since the Mughal and Nizam eras. From historical times, Malegaon has been renowned as a major centre for horse trading. Even today, traders from Telangana, Karnataka and across Maharashtra converge here. The village is also home to a magnificent temple of Lord Khandoba, revered as the family deity of Maharashtra.


More than a religious gathering, the Malegaon Yatra is a celebration of folk culture. Traditional art forms such as Kalgi-Tura, Vagya-Murali performances, Gondhal and Bharud come alive here. Tamasha and Lavani remain the main attractions, with renowned Tamasha troupes engaging in spirited performances.


Unlike many fairs limited to temple visits, the Malegaon Yatra offers much more. Agricultural exhibitions, traditional wrestling bouts and, most importantly, a massive livestock exhibition define its unique character. Thousands of animals are traded during the fair, making it the second-largest horse market in India after Rajasthan’s Pushkar Fair. Lakhs of devotees of all religions participate with equal enthusiasm, making the Yatra a powerful symbol of social harmony.


The fair serves as the backbone of the rural economy. Within just five to seven days, business worth several crores of rupees is transacted. Premium breeds of horses such as Chetak, Marwari and Punjabi attract astonishing prices. A significant donkey market also thrives here, drawing brick kiln owners and traders from other states. In addition, camels, bullocks, cows, goats and sheep are traded in large numbers. Agricultural weapons and food items witness brisk sales as well.


In times of distress, the fair provides vital economic support to farmers. Money earned from livestock sales is reinvested into agriculture. Farmers gain exposure to new seeds and modern farming technologies, while the fair also generates employment for local labourers. Earlier, agricultural goods were exchanged through the barter system; today, transactions are conducted in cash and via UPI. Where devotees once arrived in bullock carts, four-wheelers now line the roads, signs of changing times. The Malegaon Yatra truly stands as a symbol of rural prosperity and cultural grandeur.


Amid chants of ‘Yelkot Yelkot Jai Malhar’ and showers of turmeric, the annual Yatra commenced with great enthusiasm and traditional rituals. The ceremonial Dev Swari and palanquin worship marked the auspicious beginning of the fair. Lakhs of devotees gathered to witness and seek blessings during the palanquin procession on Thursday. As per tradition, the district administration welcomed the palanquins of Lord Khandoba and the designated Manakaris at the government rest house. Following the afternoon worship, the grand Dev Swari was taken out, during which the Manakaris were formally honoured.


The ceremony was attended by Cooperation Minister Balasaheb Patil, Minister of State Meghna Bordikar, MLA Prataprao Patil Chikhalikar, ZP CEO and Administrator Meghna Kavali.


The palanquin bearers and traditional custodians, including Ganpatrao Malhari Naik, Govindrao Nageshrao Maharaj, Venkatrao Marotirao Pandagle, Khushal Bhagwanrao Bhosikar, Govindrao Babarao Naikwade, Pandurang Narayanrao Patil, Malhari Raosahab Patil, Vijaykumar Shankarrao Kanakdande and Ambadas Khanderao Jahagirdar, were felicitated by the ZP.


The presence of Vagya-Murali devotees, Potraj performers filled the atmosphere with devotion. Thousands gathered to witness the intense and symbolic rituals performed by Vagya-Murali devotees in traditional attire.


The fairgrounds are now lined with stalls selling religious items, bullock ornaments, and various goods, while giant sky wheels have emerged as major attractions. This year, the ZP has implemented a plastic-free and clean fair initiative, supported by meticulous planning. Robust CCTV surveillance has been installed for security, and comprehensive healthcare arrangements have been made by the district health department to ensure the safety and well-being of devotees.


As the Malegaon Yatra unfolds, it once again reaffirms its place as a grand confluence of faith, culture and rural life.


(The writer is a journalist based in Latur. Views personal.)

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