Currently, climate change and
its impacts have greatly affected lives of people across the globe, but these
impacts are felt more closely by the people residing in developing countries. In
Pakistan, we suffered some mass natural disaster every now and then; the
earthquake of 2005 and floods and torrential rains of 2010 and then 2011 are
some of noteworthy examples. It is a fact that instead of adopting
disaster-resilient structures we have also left and changed our indigenous modes
of living and are stuck up with modern domestic and other structures that are
incompatible to the changed environment. Consequently, these structures enhance
the chances of more damage in the wake of any natural or man made disaster.
Chaunra, the thatched hut-style homes indigenous to Thar region of Sind province
are an example of how a traditional structure provides more protection from
disaster and is environment friendly as well. Chaunras primarily originated in
Thar Desert region and then spread outwards to other areas of Sindh and
Rajasthan with the seasonal migration of Thari people. Now days, as one move
towards the plains of south Sindh; we see rural areas of districts Mirpurkhas,
Umerkot and Sanghar dotted with these round or conical-shaped huts. However,
district Tharparkar is the real home of these Chaunras and its landscape has a
serene and peaceful ambiance owing to these simple huts.
‘A simple and unadorned Chaunra costs almost Rs. 40-50,000 maximum’ describes
Bheemon Suthar, a resident of Talkua Deeplo, district Tharparkar. There are two
types of Chaunras made in Thar presently; one is made by using burnt bricks in
the boundary wall while the other is more traditional thatched-wall Chaunra
which is also more cost effective. The first step is to erect a round boundary
wall , either by bricks, lime, cement and mortar or by erecting an intricate
frame joining stems of a traditional plant locally called ‘Khip’ and then tying
them together by a knot also woven from the tender leaves of Khip plant.
Secondly, another frame is made as a base for roof; strong and sturdy bamboo
sticks or stems of Khip , Jaar or Kandi plants are used in this structure. These
stems are also tied with a rope woven either from Khip plant or date-palm’s
leaves. Once the frame is complete, it is covered with thick layer of dried khip
leaves set in place by a rope. A Chaunra usually takes 3-4 days to complete,
however if one opts for the burnt brick walls then it takes double time as well
as cost. While preparing a Chaunra, preference is given to local, readily
available and less costly material.
Once the basic structure is complete, people sometimes decorate it with
multicolored geometric or floral designs and also paint them with a variety of
colors. People belonging to Kolhi, Bheel and Meghwar communities (scheduled
castes and indigenous tribes of Sindh and Rajasthan), paint their Chaunras with
sacred icons, signs and symbols of Hindu religion like swastika and the Sanskrit
letter ‘Om’ etc.
Abid Ali, a local activist of Tharparkar told that 'Chaunras perfectly comply
with arid and hot climate of Thar region, and they should also be used in other
areas as they are affordable and safer compared to concrete houses found in
urban areas’. In addition, Chaunras are heat resistant as they are made in a way
that their interior portion remains insulated and keeps the heat away. Even when
it rains, water doesn't percolate through the intricately woven straw roof and
keeps the inside dry. Moreover, in case of an earth quake, even when the Chaunra
falls, its light frame doesn't cause much damage to residents’ lives and
property; secondly it is also easier to rebuilt Chaunra compared to a concrete
structure. However, Chaunra is very vulnerable to fire breakouts and so great
care is needed to avoid fire. But, keeping in view all the other advantages,
this minor lapse of this beneficial structure can be overlooked.
Chaunras are the legacy of our indigenous culture and should not be swapped with
the concrete structure because it is not only a part of material heritage but is
also a beneficial and disaster-resilient structure. As climate change and its
ramifications are being greatly felt in Pakistan, it is pertinent to adopt such
measures as to raise awareness about the advantages of such disaster-resilient
structures and also promote it among people.
P.S(I have also got photos related to this article, but it is not possible to
post them here. Please let me know if you people need photos as well).