The village near Jodhpur has shaped up into an ecotourism destination and a solar-powered green haven that could fascinate Ajay, who has invested in a solar energy project in Gujarat and is a known nature lover.

The area around Guda Vishnoian is inhabited largely by the Bishnois, who are so fiercely protective of their ecology that they have pursued for years the 1998 case against Salman for hunting black bucks while shooting for Hum Saath Saath Hain. The case is still on in the high court.

The ecotourism plan is the first such initiative by the Rajasthan government in a state whose tourist attractions have so far largely revolved around its many forts and palaces, or national parks and sanctuaries for tigers.

A key aim is to improve the lives of the Bishnois, who are largely farmers, by opening an alternative source of livelihood and tapping their passion for nature.

The Bishnoi sect was founded in 1451 by Guru Jambheshwar, who laid down a set of principles for his followers. Prominent among these were a ban on killing animals and felling trees. The monk is said to have told his disciples that the black buck would be his manifestation after death.

Around 6km from Guda Vishnoian is Khejarli village, where legend has it that in 1730 a Bishnoi woman laid down her life while taking on then ruler Abhaya Singh over felling of trees. Amrita Devi is said to have hugged a tree and asked the emperor’s soldiers to kill her before they sawed it off. The soldiers hacked her to death, prompting others from her community to follow her and go down fighting.

The carnage continued and by the time the king came to the scene, 363 Bishnois had perished. Old-timers in Jodhpur said they could not recall any such incident in the annals of conservation. A small temple has been built at the site of the tragedy where Khejarli commemorates the day every year.

That anecdote from history and other tales are now being played up in the ecotourism project: the area is dotted with signposts and markers that briefly mention such stories about the Bishnois.

Akanksha Choudhry, the district forest officer of Jodhpur, said the primary objective behind the project was to boost the region’s unique eco-diversity that has been protected by the Bishnois.

The need to bring in variety is also a factor. “For Rajasthan, known mostly for its royal legacy and heritage, this eco-trail would be a new way to attract tourists, especially during summer when the tourist flow is a trickle.” The state drew 2.55 crore domestic visitors and 13.78 lakh foreign tourists in 2010.

In Guda Vishnoian, the government has spent over Rs 28 lakh to refurbish houses and cottages that will be used as boarding facilities for tourists. Forest officer Choudhry said the final tariff rates were yet to be finalised, though the amenities were almost ready.

The developers have promised much more than black bucks, though. At Guda Talab, a lake not far from Guda Vishnoian, visitors can see migratory birds like Black Ibis, Black-tailed Godwit, Demoiselle Cranes, Flamingo, Painted Stork and others, while porcupines, foxes, jackals and blue bulls dart around in the fields nearby.

The other attractions will be the rural life and the Bishnois’ unique customs. These will be complemented by the area’s handicrafts, including hand-woven carpets called dhurry, and pottery.

source : the teligraph