Question

Explain the role of Bishnoi community in forest conservation.

Answer 1

Role of the Bishnoi community in forest conservation:

1. The Bishnoi community is known for its peaceful coexistence with nature.
2. A woman of the community, Amrita Devi Bishnoi is known for her exemplary courage in hugging a ‘khejri tree’ to prevent it from being cut down.
3. In 1731, a king of Jodhpur ordered his ministers to build a new palace for him.
4. The ministers and workers went to a forest of ‘khejri trees’ near Khejrali village inhabited by the Bishnoi to cut down trees.
5. The Bishnois protested against the cutting down of the trees.
6. Amrita Devi Bishnoi sacrificed her life to the king's men as they did not listen to her plea of not cutting the trees.
7. The king's men killed her while cutting down the tree.
8. Following her, 363 other villagers including her three daughters sacrificed their lives to protect the ‘khejri trees’.
9. The sacrifice of the Bishnoi community in forest conservation is remarkable.
10. So, to honor the sacrifice of the Bishnoi community, the Government of India has instituted the “Amrita Devi Bishnoi, Wildlife Conservation Award”.