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News: On Khejadli Sacrifice Day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid tribute to Amrita Devi Bishnoi and all the martyrs who laid down their lives for the protection of Khejri trees in Khejadli village of Rajasthan.
About Khejadli Sacrifice Day
- Khejarli Sacrifice Day is commemorated every year on September 11.
- It is also observed as National Forest Martyrs Day.
- It commemorates the historic event that took place in 1730 in Rajasthan where 363 members of the Bishnoi community, led by Amrita Devi, sacrificed their lives to protect sacred Khejri trees.
- About the event:
- Maharaja Abhai Singh of the Marwar Kingdom gave the order to cut down Khejri trees, which are revered by the Bishnoi community.
- Amrita Devi Bishnoi and her three daughters sacrificed their lives while protecting the sacred Khejri trees.
- Inspired by their courage, 363 Bishnois gave their lives by embracing the trees to prevent them from being felled.
- Their sacrifice later inspired the Chipko Movement of the 1970s.
Note: Khejri tree (Prosopis cineraria) holds great importance in Rajasthan, especially among the Bishnoi community. It is considered as sacred as Tulsi and has strong religious significance.
About Amrita Devi Bishnoi
- Amrita Devi Bishnoi was a legendary environmental protector and an early symbol of ecological conservation in India.
- She is popularly known as Mata Amrita Devi Bishnoi.
- Birth: She was born in the 17th century in Rajasthan and belonged to the Bishnoi community.
- Activities undertaken:
- She is remembered for her supreme sacrifice during the historic Khejarli incident of 1730 in present-day Jodhpur district, Rajasthan.
- When the ruler of Jodhpur ordered the cutting of Khejri trees, she strongly opposed this act, as the Bishnoi faith considers the protection of trees and nature as sacred.
- She was killed by the soldiers.
- Following her sacrifice, 363 Bishnois men, women and children also gave their lives while protecting the trees.
- Shocked by this mass sacrifice, the ruler ordered an immediate halt to tree-felling and issued a royal decree protecting trees and wildlife in Bishnoi areas.
- Legacy: Her sacrifice later inspired environmental movements such as the Chipko Movement.
- Awards: Today, the Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award is given by the Government of India in her honour.
