Khawlotsav (Pangolin Festival) On the Occasion of World Pangolin Day

It was the time for “Khawlotsav” (Pangolin festival) on the occasion of World pangolin day started by the villagers of Dugve village of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, India. Khawlotsav (Pangolin festival) was celebrated in traditional manner of the villagers first villagers had worshiped village deity Waghjai for the safeguard, survival and health of the Pangolin species around the world and give wisdom to the people involved in poaching and trafficking of the species. Pangolin replica which is placed near the forest was brought to the temple and placed near village deity and worshipped pangolin replica by villagers. As per the villagers, “Pangolin serves his service to human by consuming insect for us Pangolin is God to us our God is in Nature and we bow to pangolin”. After worshiped Pangolin replica were placed in palanquin and villagers performed traditional dance with palanquin. Palanquin was taken to every household of the villagers were everyone worshiped Pangolin.

The young generation and students enthusiastically showed their interest they present traditional songs on Pangolin and shows respect, love and importance of pangolin through their Songs. At the end of the festival every villagers and people who were present in festival had taken oath and pray to protect species in their region and raise awareness in their neighbor villages.

Currently the numbers of poaching increased in the Konkan region and the number of illegal trafficking incident exposed time to time. In these circumstances in Chiplun Block Dugve village of Ratnagiri District had taken steps to protect species in their village and near by the place. In this village Khawlotsav (Pangolin festival) celebration in traditional manner is the world’s first Pangolin Festival was celebrated.

India is a religious, traditional and cultural diversity country. In this country many ancient scriptures had given religious aspects for the conservation of the species. If pangolin somewhere related with religious aspect and connected with God community will connect with species emotionally and steps for conservation. SNM had tried to connect species emotionally with community through religious aspects connecting with God for the conservation of the species on ground. Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra team only focused for the conservation of the species across the nation in any mode of possibilities.