Chatori gali (2026)

02/12/2024

12/11/2024

Bishnoism-An eco Dharam- A great hospitality by the villagers of Bishnoi Village

When Amrita Devi and 362 Bishnois sacrificed their lives for the Khejri tree

September 11 signifies a very important landmark in the history of India’s environmental movement. It’s said on this day, back in 1730, in a tiny desert village near Jodhpur, 363 Bishnoi people led by a brave woman resisted the cutting down of khejri trees, among others, by the king’s men, preferring instead to lay down their own lives rather than allow the desecration of their environment. In 2013, the Department of Environment and Forests declared September 11 as National Forest Martyrs Day. This saga of supreme sacrifice has had a cascading effect in terms of more recent environmental movements across India, notably the Chipko Andolan. But before we get to the story of how several Bishnoi people sacrificed their lives for the khejri trees, we need to understand the Bishnois’ connection with the environment.

It’s said on this day, back in 1730, in a tiny desert village near Jodhpur, 363 Bishnoi people led by a brave woman resisted the cutting down of khejri trees by the king’s men, preferring instead to lay down their own lives rather than allow the desecration of their environment.