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Rakhandar Yatra Mobilizes Villages to Protect Konkan’s Land and Culture
A group of young people is walking through villages in Konkan.
Their journey is called the Rakhandar Yatra.
Rakhandar means a protector or guardian.
They meet villagers, farmers and fishing communities to hear about local problems.
These problems include possible river diversion, mining, large development projects and the sale of coastal land.
The group wants people to protect water, forests, farms, fishing and local traditions.
The journey connects this work with Vetoba, a guardian deity respected in parts of Konkan and Goa.
The group also supports people who preserve local food, culture and sustainable ways of living.
They say protecting Konkan means both opposing harmful projects and promoting the region’s way of life.
The Rakhandar Yatra has been travelling from village to village across Konkan since June.
Young participants meet residents, farmers and fishing communities to discuss environmental and social concerns.
The journey began at Kankumbi amid opposition to a proposal to divert Mandovi River water toward the Malprabha basin.
In Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri, the group raised concerns about mining, unplanned development and proposed industrial projects.
The yatra also promotes agriculture, local culture and sustainable livelihoods, rather than focusing only on resistance.
- Who
- Young people involved in the Rakhandar Yatra, including organizers and supporters from Konkan.
- What
- A village-to-village journey discussing environmental, social and cultural concerns and encouraging protection of Konkan.
- Where
- It began in Kankumbi on the Goa-Karnataka border and continued through villages in Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
- When
- The yatra began in June and travels through one area for four to five days each month.
- Why
- The organizers say Konkan’s land, water, forests, livelihoods and way of life face pressure from development, mining, river diversion and other changes.
Development Concerns
Protection Concerns
River diversion
Development Concerns
Supporters of diverting Mandovi River water describe the proposal as a way to mitigate drought, according to the article.
Protection Concerns
Local residents and environmentalists oppose diverting the river toward the Malprabha basin, saying the natural water course and region’s resources should be protected.
Large projects and development
Development Concerns
Government and project proponents are advancing or considering development projects, including a proposed nuclear power plant, chemical refinery and private nuclear projects in Ratnagiri.
Protection Concerns
The Rakhandar organizers and affected communities have raised concerns about forced development, mining, unplanned construction and threats to land, water, farming and fishing.
Purpose of the yatra
Development Concerns
One possible view is that development and economic activity should continue while local concerns are addressed.
Protection Concerns
The organizers say the yatra is not only about opposing projects; it also promotes Konkan’s agriculture, society, culture, local food and sustainable livelihoods.
Key facts
- Name
- Rakhandar Yatra
- Meaning
- Rakhandar means protector or guardian.
- Starting point
- Mauli temple in Kankumbi village on the Goa-Karnataka border.
- Start date
- June
- Sindhudurg route
- Dodamarg, Banda, Malvan and Vengurla
- Ratnagiri route
- Jaitapur, Madban and Barsu
- Cultural symbol
- Vetoba, or Vetal, a guardian deity associated with village protection.
- Rock-art connection
- The yatra’s logo is inspired by Konkan’s laterite-plateau petroglyphs, whose sites were added to UNESCO’s Tentative List in 2022.
Quotes
Malhar Indulkar
Young biologist from Chiplun and core member of the Rakhandar Yatra
“Our cultures grew on the banks of rivers. Kankumbi is the birthplace Mandovi river, hence we chose it. From locals to environmentalists are opposing the plan to divert this river’s water to Malprabha. In the name of mitigating drought, the natural course of water is being planned to divert for industrial use. The aim is to protect the natural treasure.”
indianexpress.com
“Vetal is a protector, who is always alert with open eyes, ready to shield the deities and resemble human behaviour. When the village is in danger, Vetal awakens. We felt it was the apt symbolism in today’s time as whenever the villages in Konkan are threatened with forced developmental projects, the locals rise.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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