BISHNOI COMMUNITY

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Context: Environmentalists and local communities such as the Bishnois are opposing the "widespread" cutting down of trees for the construction of solar power plants in Rajasthan.

Details

• The Bishnoi community, known for environmental commitment, is opposing the "widespread" removal of trees for the construction of solar power facilities in Rajasthan.
• They have urged forest and revenue officials to take steps to protect trees and the environment.

Bishnoi Community

About

• India is a land of diversity, where different cultures and religions coexist in harmony. Among them, there is the Bishnois community, also known as Vishnois, a sub-sect of Hinduism that follows principles given by their founder, Guru Jambheshwar.
  • These principles cover various aspects of personal hygiene, social behaviour, worship of God, and protection of biodiversity.
• They are mainly found in the western Thar desert and northern states of India, such as Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
• They number around 600,000 to 1.5 million, according to various estimates.
• They speak different languages such as Marwari, Bagri, Hindi, Haryanvi, and Punjabi, but share a common faith and culture.

Environmental Principles

• They believe that all living beings are sacred and should not be harmed or killed.
• They also avoid cutting green trees and wearing blue clothes, as they are obtained by harming plants and animals.

Care for Animals

• They are known for their compassion and care for animals.
• They often feed and shelter orphaned or injured animals such as deer, antelopes, peacocks, rabbits, etc.
• They also patrol their land to prevent poachers from hunting or trapping wildlife.
• They have been instrumental in conserving the endangered blackbuck and chinkara antelopes in their region.

History of Environmental Protection

• The Bishnois are known for their courage and sacrifice in defending nature from human exploitation.
• One of the most famous examples is the Khejarli massacre of 1730 when 363 Bishnois laid down their lives to protect khejri trees from being cut by the king's men for building a fort.
  • The first martyr was a woman named Amrita Devi Bishnoi, who hugged a tree and said "Sir santhe rukh rahe to bhi sasto jaan" meaning "even if our head gets chopped off to save a tree from being cut, it is a small sacrifice for us."
• Another example is the Chipko movement of 1973-74 when hundreds of Bishnois joined hands with other villagers to hug trees and prevent them from being felled by contractors for timber.
• These movements inspired many environmental activists across India and the world.

National and International recognition

• The Bishnois have been recognized as India's original eco-warriors by various national and international organizations.
• They have received awards such as the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar (1987), the United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Roll of Honour (1992), and the Mahatma Gandhi Award for Non-violence (2006).

Way Forward

• The Bishnois are an inspiration for all those who care about the environment and want to live in harmony with nature.
• They show us that it is possible to follow a simple and sustainable lifestyle without compromising on our faith and values.
• They also remind us that we have a responsibility to protect our planet and its biodiversity for ourselves and future generations.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. One of the most pressing challenges of our time is how to conserve the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change. How can we convince people of the need to conserve the environment and protect biodiversity?

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/jaipur-news/protests-erupt-as-solar-%20companies-destroy-thousands-of-trees-in-rajasthan-including-state-tree-khejri-for-%20renewable-energy-projects-101681309991923.html