Smritivan is a commemoration of the Gujarat earthquake. On January 26, 2001, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale occurred in the Kutch region and killed 13,805 people, destructed habitat, property and infrastructure. This is to be viewed in a series of events. Kutch has been in continuous inhabitation since the Harappan period and has been subject to numerous natural disasters, including cyclones and droughts. Water remains the scarcest natural resource, and so, the region's ecology, economy, culture, social structure, festivals and struggle for survival all revolve around water and nature.
The succinct brief by the then Chief Minister, now Prime Minister, Narender Modi was to “plant a tree for each victim”. The site chosen for this is emblematic of the resilience of the people. This is the Bhujio Dungar, which is a hill, and at the time at the edge of the town and at its apex is the Bhujang Dev temple. Bhujang Dev is the Lord of the forest and the five elements, with flora, fauna and wildlife are worshipped here. There is a pilgrimage route and an annual festival. The hill also has the association of memory, history and the celestial. Planting trees here symbolizes the resurgence of the forest as well as the people. On a contoured site, Kathpalia began with mapping water channels and charge areas. He then inserted reservoirs in this network, thus rejuvenating the water table and trees were planted downstream. In design, these recharge ponds recall the water tanks of Modhera and others. And fittingly, the names of the earthquake victims are placed on the walls of the reservoirs. Water is then both the source of memory and life.
To view the entire article Click Here
