In Rajasthan, a powerful grassroots movement is gaining attention as villagers undertake a 700-kilometre foot march from Jaisalmer to Jaipur. Their goal is to demand protection for sacred groves, grazing lands, and water catchment areas that are increasingly threatened by large-scale solar energy projects.
The march began near the India-Pakistan border at the Tanot Mata temple and is expected to conclude in Jaipur by the end of March. What started with around 100 villagers has now grown into a large movement, with thousands joining along the route. Villages on the way are supporting the marchers with food, shelter, and solidarity.
At the center of the issue are “orans,” sacred groves that have been protected for generations by local communities. These lands are not only culturally significant but also ecologically vital. They support native trees, wildlife, and livestock grazing, and they play a crucial role in conserving water in the desert ecosystem.
However, activists claim that nearly 580,000 hectares of these orans have been wrongly classified as “wasteland” in government records. This classification has made it easier for authorities to allocate these lands for industrial purposes, including solar power projects that require vast areas of land.
For the communities living in this harsh desert environment, these lands are essential for survival. With very low rainfall, people rely on traditional water harvesting systems such as ponds, wells, and catchment areas. Livestock rearing is a major source of livelihood, and the loss of grazing land directly impacts their economic stability.
Residents say that the effects are already being felt. In some areas, pasturelands have been fenced off for solar projects, forcing villagers to reduce their livestock. Others worry that water sources will be affected if catchment areas are disturbed.
While Rajasthan has emerged as a leader in renewable energy, especially solar power, this rapid expansion is creating conflicts on the ground. The state aims to significantly increase its renewable energy capacity in the coming years, but local communities argue that development should not come at the cost of their livelihoods and traditional ecosystems.
Although laws such as the Rajasthan Tenancy Act and the Land Revenue Act restrict the use of pasture and catchment lands for industrial purposes, the incorrect classification of these lands as wasteland has allowed projects to move forward. In some cases, courts have intervened and halted projects, but activists say that a broader policy correction is needed.
The protesters are demanding proper mapping and legal recognition of orans as forest land. They believe this would prevent their misuse and ensure long-term protection. They are also calling for a more balanced approach to renewable energy development, one that includes smaller, community-based projects instead of large-scale land acquisitions.
The march highlights a larger question facing India’s development journey: how to balance clean energy expansion with the protection of traditional livelihoods, ecosystems, and cultural heritage. For the people walking across Rajasthan, the issue is deeply personal. It is not just about land, but about survival, identity, and the future of their communities.