You may know of great men who have sacrificed their lives for other people or for some noble causes. However, it would be hard to believe that people have lost their lives protecting trees! In 1731, the bravery of a woman inspired a whole village in Rajasthan to die for their trees and stand against the King’s men who came to cut the trees.
Probably, the Bishnois are India’s first environmentalists. The famous ‘Chipko Movement’ was inspired by the true story of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, the woman who refused to let the king’s men cut trees in her village. Amrita Devi could not bear to witness the destruction of trees, which were sacred to her. She hugged the trees and encouraged the trees and encouraged others to do the same. Three hundred and sixty-three Bishnoi villagers were killed in the massacre that followed.
When the king cane to know about these terrible events, he rushed to the village and apologized, ordering the soldiers to cease logging operations. Soon afterwards, he declared the whole place a protected area, forbidding anyone from felling trees and killing animals. This legislation exists even today in Rajasthan.
Picture Credit : Google