This Navratri, Forest Dept tells a musical tale of conservation

For the first time in Gujarat, the state Forest Department has struck a different chord to spread awareness about the flora and fauna of the state during the ongoing Wildlife Week.

They have distributed more than 100 CDs containing garba songs in all the forest circles in the state and even a few garba organisers in Gandhinagar.

The Wildlife Week is celebrated from October 2 to October 8 and coincides with Navratri.

“Garba has its own cultural significance. This time, we decided to spread awareness about the ecology and environment through folk arts that are traditionally well known,” said N P Majmudar, Public Liaison Officer (PLO), state Forest Department.

Renowned Kathiawadi folk singer Bhikhudan Gadhvi has sung the songs penned by Hadau and Patel. Hadau has been writing poetry about for quite sometime now.

The five garba songs contained in the CD are of more than 30 minutes duration.

They talk about the rich wildlife in Gujarat—from Ghudkhars (Wild Ass) of Kutch to the thick bamboo forests in the Dangs.

The Forest Department has, meanwhile, asked several forest officers to get feedback on the songs after nine days.