Oran Bachao Initiative

What are Orans?

The Oran Bachao Initiative is a grassroots movement dedicated to protecting Rajasthan’s Orans — community-conserved sacred groves that have served as cultural, ecological, and spiritual sanctuaries for centuries.

Orans are revered by rural communities as sacred landscapes, safeguarded through
traditional customs and the sacrifices of saints and local warriors.
Rajasthan is estimated to have around 25,000 Orans, covering nearly
600,000 hectares — yet only a small percentage are legally protected.

Threats to Orans

In recent years, these ancient ecological sanctuaries have come under immense pressure
due to rapid development. Large tracts of Oran and pastureland are being acquired for:

• Renewable energy projects and solar parks
• Wind farms and transmission lines
• Industrial and commercial expansion

Often these decisions are made without proper environmental assessment or
community consent, threatening both biodiversity and cultural heritage.

A Fight to Protect Sacred Land

Local communities have actively resisted such moves. One powerful example is the
Baiya village Oran struggle, where after a
72-day peaceful protest, villagers succeeded in reclaiming
1,000 bighas of sacred land wrongfully allotted to companies.

MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati participated in the
Oran Bachao Abhiyan along with several religious leaders in Jaisalmer
and led multiple protests to protect and preserve these heritage landscapes.

Our Commitment

The Oran Bachao Initiative aims to raise public awareness, advocate for stronger
legal protection, and ensure that development does not come at the cost of these
irreplaceable sacred ecosystems.