Tribal Traditional Practice “Halma” in Jhabua District, Madhya Pradesh, India towards the Water Conservation & Sustainable Rural Development
Author : Dr. Anita Rathi
Abstract :
This is an outcome of my purposeful visit to Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh, India where I was invited as a guest by a Trust running NGO, working there for social service, to experience the performance of Halma Tribal Tradition by being a part of it. So this paper is purely based on the participant observations and interviews. This abstract focuses on the tribal traditional practice known as "Halma," which is prevalent in the Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Halma is a community-led practice that involves digging trenches and pits to conserve water and promote afforestation. The practice is rooted in the cultural traditions of the Bhil tribe and has been in existence for generations. The Halma is called in the presence of a deity during a village-level meeting, and individual households are informed of the venue, date, and time of the Halma through 'notras.' Since 2009, an annual Halma has been organized on Hathipawa hills, where community members gather to collectively dig trenches and pits. The practice has several benefits, including the conservation of groundwater and the promotion of afforestation, leading to sustainable rural development. However, conducting field studies on the Halma can be limited by factors such as a limited sample size, cultural differences, and environmental factors. Nevertheless, experts emphasize that water conservation is crucial for securing our future, and the Halma serves as an important example of community-led water conservation practices that can be adopted in other areas. Connecting people with a cause is the missing element in the current development and conservation paradigm. If we identify this connection, then even the last person also gives 100% to uplift self, society, and nation. Reviving a tradition with a new mandate in society is a paradigm shift in the scientific language of Social Sciences.
Keywords :
Halma, indigenous ritual, water conservation, ecology, sustainable rural development, earth mates
