Going beyond their textbook education, a group of students from Symbiosis Law School have decided to put their law school experience to good use. On a visit to Katraj bird sanctuary in Ahmednagar, the students were moved when they learnt the plight of more than 120 families that live in the sanctuary's adjoining area.
With their lands taken away by government for the bird conservation project over three decades ago, villagers pleaded that loss of land of cultivation has resulted in many hungry mouths to feed and future of children at stake. Their argument - the land is not entirely being used for the conservation project and hence a re-alignment of area under project is necessary.
No money to fight their case, the students who were there to resolve petty legal issues decided to take on a battle on their hands - help the villagers file a Public Interest Litigation.
If their efforts will yield success is yet to be known but the unheard have found a voice - the villagers plaint is before the National Green Tribunal today.
Explained final year law student, Rahul Jamdar who is also son of a farmer "To safeguard the GIB, the government started conservation project and notified that farmers lands were reserved for project. The sanctuary was established in 1979 and 765 villages, including Karjat tahasil, Shrigonda Tahasil and Solapur city, lie within the 8,4964.44 sq km area. As a result, local farmers started facing problems like getting bank mortgages on land, selling and buying properties etc.
He added that even as the Sawarkar committee report suggested re-alignment of the GIB sanctuary area stating not only was total existing area not under use for GIB but also for associated species like the Lesser Florican. The report looked at conservation issues, the problems of people and the requirement of habitats for the bustard.
Along with 70 other students, professor Santosh Aghav from the law college visited the area and interacted with farmers in three teams. Following discussions with experts, they drafted the petition. Their job is far from over as the case has only come up before the commission, it needs far more work further.
Dr Shashikala Gurpur, Director of Symbiosis Law School said, "Such activities help the students sharpen their law skills. The matter is sub-judice but the students are committed to villager's cause. Its not about winning the case but that at least students have come forward to help villagers."
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