On, 11th september, 1730 363 Bishnois from Jodhpur were massacred in Khejarali by Rajasthan’s Maharaja Abhay Singh while they were trying to protect Khejri trees from cutting down which are considered scared in their community. Amrita Devi and her three daughters offered their heads instead of trees. They were beheaded by the army of Abhay Singh. This can be called as the start of first Chipko movement in India. Following the decapitation of Amrita Devi, 359 more Bishnoi people died protecting their sacred trees.
To commemorate the day of this Bishnoi Massacre, National Forest Martyrs day is observed on this day each year in India.
Today, we want you to remember the sacrifices of Bishnoi community and thousands of forest management people serving and guarding the wildlife and trees in the remote corners of our country. From the deep forests of Uttrakhand to the mangroves of sundarbans and the barren lands of Jaisalmer, walking on foot, in cold and heat, patrolling day and night, with no internet or connection with the world, risking their lives every second in presence of dangerous Wild animals. Remember them. They are our Forest Soldiers.
Let’s acknowledge the importance of trees in our lives, Forests are the lungs of our planet and wildlife maintains the balance in our ecosystem. It took a global Pandemic for us to understand that we cannot meddle with nature because it always has the upper hand.
