An ode to forest warriors & martyrs

A two-hour drive from Bikaner, Rajasthan, took us to Mukam village, nestled in the arid landscape of the Thar desert. Mukti Dham Mukam is the spiritual centre of the Bishnoi community. Having opened their village to eco-tourism, the Bishnois are sharing their environmental conservation initiatives with the world.

Away from the distractions of urban life, this place reminded me that we should not try to transform Nature for our parochial interests. My tour guide, a Bishnoi man, believed that plants and animals were on this planet much before us and they are “more privileged” than humans.

Bishnoism traces its roots of ecological vigilance to a set of 29 Niyamas (principles or commandments) — ‘Bish’ stands for 20 and ‘Noi’ for nine. I learnt that eight of the Niyamas are dedicated to the protection of biodiversity, including a ban on killing animals and felling trees.

A Bishnoi woman explained to me Shabad 9, which says: “Jeeva uppar jorkarije, antkaal hoysibharu” (if you wield brute power over animals, your end will be painful). This is the key reason why there are usually more wild animals in Bishnoi villages compared to others.

Local residents told me about the Khejarli massacre of September 1730, when 363 members of the Bishnoi community sacrificed their lives to protect Khejri trees. They narrated this tragedy proudly, not mournfully. So, the Bishnois of Thar spearheaded India’s first environmental movement, wherein the practice of embracing trees originated. The National Forest Martyrs’ Day is observed on September 11 to honour their legacy. The Chipko Movement, led by activists like Gaura Devi and Sunderlal Bahuguna, was inspired by the Khejarli incident.

Their saga left me in awe. Here was a community that was far more dedicated to the environment than the advocates of green living I encounter in the city, flaunting tree plantation efforts on social media. Even as people satisfy their needs in an anthropocentric world, Bishnois are living the eco-centric way.

I noticed that despite stringent conservation policies, Bishnois are a prosperous agrarian community. They draw resources from nature as and when required. I was amazed to find that though Bishnois are followers of Hinduism, they bury their dead to save firewood. Hence, Bishnois go beyond the boundaries of religion.

They also shun blue colour because its dye is created by using an excessive quantity of shrubs. Interestingly, widows from this community wear colourful clothes just like other women. I am full of admiration for such progressive values. Their way of life is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most advanced ideas come from the simplest of lives. This community’s refreshing approach towards the environment is worthy of emulation.