THE ORAANS of western Rajasthan consist of, at best, 3 or 4 varieties of trees. Though part of this degeneration can be attributed to the breakdown of the local self-government system, the people have also ignored traditional values and principles of community conservation. Reviving the oraans is fraught with various problems.

For one thing, there is increasing pressure on these lands from growing cattle and human populations. Fallow areas are no longer available for grazing, thanks to the government's redistribution of land as agricultural land. So, the people graze their cattle on the oraans with utter carelessness.

Previously, people actually believed they would be cursed by the gods for pilfering the oraans, but today, they harbour no such fears. Once-revered laws on felling are flouted because traditional conservation practices are giving way to enforcement-by-circumstance or callous encroachments that the government has been legalising.

Another problem is defining the area of oraans. They are usually demarcated on the basis of tradition and hearsay and no documents exist to indicate their boundaries. The forest department does not even consider them forest land. Besides, villagers are unaware of the authority administering these lands. This has facilitated the government in its redistribution of land.

Though the perception of the people towards oraans has changed, it is not as if they are unconcerned about them. Prem Jagani, a journalist in Bikaner, says they would rather meet their daily needs than think about long-term benefits. Others, like Bikaner-based social activist Shubu Patwa, say that though the elements of superstition may have waned, the people continue to respect the secular values of such traditions.

Attempts being made to revive the oraans are also criticised. Patwa opposes the government trying to regenerate them through using new species of trees. He says the solution lies in empowering village panchayats, including giving them financial powers. Though local people might continue to fell trees, it would be far less then the havoc wrought by encroachers.