The Ness of Gir, Real Friends of Lions

Ness has a distinct culture in Gir. You have seen the Lion, You have seen the Gir forest, but if you don't see the ness there, the visit is considered incomplete. At present there are about 74 to 100 Ness in both the East and West sides, but gradually its culture is fading. They are friendly with the lion families, but have many problems with the government's forest policy and local authorities. The first settlement on the forest road from Sasan village to Satadhar is that of Dadhiya Ness. It is reached by crossing the Hiran River 3 km from Sasan.

Along with Lions, Maldharis and Nesdas are also important in Gir,  Maldharis and Nesdas. The house of Leo is eclipsed now. There is a vav (step well) on the side of the main road. It is said that this vav before Sasan village was built by the Vaniyas and then settled with cattle hence the name of the Ness is Vaniyavav. There was no water in the vav when we visited. The recident of the Ness told about the decline of Ness culture, that in earlier times our forefathers used to suffer the harassment. Now the new generation is educated. Knows the law. Therefore, if someone does injustice, they cry rebellion against him. Now we are also in a fighting mood. Save Ness to Save Gir and Save Saavaj (lion).

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Plants like Kuwadia (Sicklepod, Sickle Senna) and bapsi-antenna are damaging Gir Forest. Due to which their animals get sick and die. Lions are believed to be getting cancer. If Maldhor (animals) are not saved, Ness will not survive either.

Forest men remove such forest-damaging vegetation from roadsides and display it on paper, while nothing is done deep in the forest. So Gir's Heer is being beaten. Dulabhai of Amritvel Ness said that electricity cannot be used and construction is also prohibited, so if a deri is built for God-Mother, it is also demolished. However, for light, solar panels can now be seen in every nook and corner of Gir. Due to the modern lifestyle, some light has been spread in their dark life. Gir looks really beautiful with the dress of the local people like Rabari, Gadhvis, Kathi Kshatriyas and their rustic dress. Each ness has a distinct characteristic. As animal husbandry is their main occupation, the feast of pandas made from the fresh milk mawa there is worth enjoying.

As entry to the Gir forest is prohibited before sunrise and after sunset, Ness residents face real trouble if a guests and relatives from other places arrives in the dark. Forest department personnel do not allow entry. As a result now due to mobile the guest calls the host from the ness and then the guest can reach the house. It is also true that some rules are necessary for forest policies, but the rich who are able to say 'samarath ko nahi dosh gosai' go scot free. why no rules apply to illegal farmhouses, resorts.

-Taken from Gujarati article by Jignesh Thakar.