Unable to reconcile differing narratives, the city dweller couldn’t resist asking the medicinal healer, “How do adivasis see vanvaa as a time when the jungle comes to life but forest” department “people and news reports describe it in terms of destruction and loss?” “You see,” the healer replied, “forest people want to clear our padas. If it happens, there may be more animals and birds. But, during a vanvaa, what will happen to those unable to run or don’t fly much? There are ants, snakes and others, no? Can newborns escape easily? Those who cannot escape will eventually burn and die. Whose loss will it be—ours or forest people? They don’t seem to understand this. Who douses a vanvaa? We help. We care for the forest. The forest people are 7-8 km. away. Birds and animals will die by the time they reach.” The adivasi youth interrupted, “Vanvaa makes the soil fertile. But forest people don’t want it to occur. Various insects have increased as instances of vanvaa have decreased. Now, our whole body itches when we are back from a walk in the jungle. And, after 2-3 days, we get red and black patches. Going to the doctor does not provide relief. This is the other thing that has happened. Forest people don’t believe this.” As she sipped tea sitting in the verandah, the healer returned the question to his guest, “All this is something to think about, no?”
