Amrita Devi embracing Khejri tree while the kingsmen attack; Image Source: Public Domain

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It dates back to 1730 on this day, when Raja Abhay Singh of Jodhpur ordered his minister to bring timber from neighbouring settlements to his fort to strengthen the fortress. The minister ordered the men to move to Khejarli, in the south – east direction of Jodhpur.

Khejarli was a village like settlement abundant of the tree Khejri. The settlers were Bishnois – a tribe known for their strong faith in conserving the ecosystem they thrived in. They followed 29 commandments which translate to – Bish(20) and Noi (9). The commandments are a set of rules they follow diligently to protect the trees and living organisms around them.

> When the tree cutters approached the village of Khejarli , women came out in protest led by Amrita devi and sang in chorus, “ Leave our trees alone!”. The men who were ordered by the king were in a dilemma as they couldn’t disagree to the commands of their king.

The Khejri tree is coveted for several qualities in the arid region of Khejarli , as it provided with fodder for the herd of camel, bore fruits to be consumed by the village settlers and provided dense shade in the scorching heat of desert. Amrita Devi with her little girls stood between the trees and the tree-fellers. She stretched her arms around a tree and hugged them, like a mother does to shield her child from an attack. The girls followed her, so did the men and other women of Khejarli.

> Met with the rebellious and agitated people of Khejarli, the puzzled minister ordered his men to procure wood despite them embracing the trunks and attack the tree huggers. Around 71 women and 292 men laid their lives fearing nothing. An act which went on to inspire the Chipko Movement several hundreds of years later.

The massacre of Bishnois now spread like wildfire and reached the King. The soil now immersed in the blood of the Bishnoi people saddened and shocked Raja Abhay singh. He couldn’t believe that the people laid their lives for the trees. Repenting this, the King ordered a Royal Decree that no one shall ever cut trees and the harm the fauna of the region where Bishnois settle for their livelihood.

Though there are no official records in written format which highlight this incident. The story is sung by the bards of Khejarli and is an intrinsic part of their culture. The Bishnois are famously known as the natural environmentalists for their contribution in the protection of animals, birds and the plantations in the arid region of Rajasthan.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest in 2013 announced that the day of September 11 shall be marked as The National Forest Martyrs Day to commemorate the sacrifices the women like Amrita Devi and people of Bishnoi community. The day is observed to pay homage to the guards and officers who laid their lives on duty while protecting the forest and green belt of the country.

How did a day in Indian history marking the bloodshed of 363 people became a day now dedicated to celebrate and protect the forests? Read the story of brave hearts behind the National Forest Martyrs Day observed today