Rajendra Pawar, 36, one of four tempo-owners in the village, says that in the past each one would go to Ahmednagar, 16 km away, separately to sell vegetables. “At that time, the profit used to get divided between us. But now each one takes turns going to the city. This not only saves our diesel and transportation cost but has also increased our profits.

Now, we use our tempos for some other purpose on a lean day,” he said.

Rajendra Thumbe and Rajendra Sumbe, both teachers at Nimga Waga village, 16 km from Hiwre Bazaar, give rides to each other on their motorbikes every week “after proper co-ordination”. “We save Rs 300 every month over fuel which otherwise used to cost us Rs 600,” said Thumbe.

Raosaheb Ranoji Pawar (82), who bought the first motorbike in the village in 1970, but now rides a bicycle, has a different take on the resolution. “It is much healthier to ride a bicycle than a motorbike. These young boys get exhausted after cycling and all due to their habits,” he said.

While neighbouring villages and government agencies are amazed by the move, it is just the latest in a series of progressive steps for residents of Hiwre Bazaar. When the village was drought-hit years ago, residents took to water harvesting and also started to protect the forests around it, winning accolades and drawing the attention of national and international agencies which came to study their success.

Villagers now farm through the year due to abundance of water. In 2000, the village passed a resolution making HIV tests mandatory before marriage. It also passed a resolution preventing land sale to outsiders. Village resolutions, including the one on fuel consumption, are rarely violated as residents say they are close-knit community.

... contd.