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The shocking history, 350 beheadings, of National Forest Martyrs’ Day
Read on...
Mayank Dubey
National Forest Martyrs’ Day is observed every year on September 11
As a tribute to people who sacrificed their lives protecting the forests and wildlife in India.
They can be forest guards killed by poachers, animals, or accidents...
OR even citizens who dies protecting the forest and its animals from vested interest groups.
There are many communities who worship the forest - their source of livelihood - as a mother or deity.
And can even risk their lives protecting it. One such community is Bishnois of Rajasthan.
Yes, the same Bishnoi Community...
That lodged a case against the famous actor Salman Khan for hunting a Blackbuck OR Chinkara in Jodhpur in 1998.
The Ministry of Environment and Forest declared September 11 as 'National Forest Martyrs' Day in 2013:
As a tribute to the infamous Khejarli massacre of 1730.
'Khejarli' trees are considered to be holy by the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan.
In 1730, Maharaja Abhay Singh ordered to cut these trees for his palace's woodworks.
The Massacre
A woman named Amrita Singh from the Bishnoi community resisted this move. She offered her head instead of the tree.
The Massacre
king's soldiers beheaded her, along with her daughters and over 350 people of the Bishnoi Community
The massacre shocked the king and he withdrew his order right away.
He not only apologized to the Bishnoi community, but also honored the sacrifice made.
He passed a decree banning felling of the Khejarli trees and hunting of animals in the area.
How it is celebrated?
Several events and competitions are held promoting importance of protecting the forests, wildlife and environment at large on this occasion
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