TAMIL NADU NATIONAL LAW SCHOOL, TIRUCHIRAPPALLI

TAMIL NADU, INDIA

I YEAR II SEMESTER BALLB (HONS.)DEGREE COURSE

A STUDY ON CONSERVATION OF NATURE BY BISHNOI COMMUNITY

IN MARWAR REGION OF RAJASTHAN

SOCIOLOGY II CODE HAAB

Name Of The Superviser Ms HEMLATHA BHATT

Submitted By : KARAN VYAS

Email ID : karanvyas365@gmail.com

Registration No : BA0150021

Marks Awarded

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 DECLARATION

I KARAN VYAS , BALLB(Hons.) Ist Year of TAMIL NADU NATIONAL

SCHOOL, hereby declare that this project work undertaken and submitted by
me as a part of internal assessment for Sociology-II (A Critical Introduction)
paper is an original work and is not submitted to any other university for
assessment or examination.

DATE : STUDENT ID : BA0150021

PLACE : TRICHY STUDENT SIGNATURE :

KARAN VYAS

SUBMITTED TO COURSE FACULTY : MS. HEMALATHA BHATT

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 Bishnois A Brief Introduction And History
Bishnoi is a community of nature worshippers found in the Western Thar Desert in the state
of Rajasthan, India, the desert also overlaps areas of Punjab, and Sindh in Pakistan. They
also have a sizeable presence in the neighboring states of Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and
Delhi.

They are mainly concentrated to the Marwar and Pali region of Rajasthan.The followers of
this religion is over 10 lakh for whom protection of all living things is a Way of Life. In fact,
the only Way of Life.The basic philosophy of the people of this religion is that all living
things have a right to survive and share all resources.

The name Bishnoi is derived from bis (twenty) and nai (nine) i.e. followers of 29
principles given by Guru Jambheshwar. Thus, Bishnoi translates as Twenty-niners. Guru
Jambheshwar has given the message to the Bishnoi community to protect the trees and
wildlife around 540 years ago, prophesying that harming the environment means harming
yourself. He formulated twenty nine tenets. These tenets were mass-produced not only to
conserve bio-diversity of the area but also to ensure a healthy and eco-friendly social life for
the community.

Out of the 29 tenets, 10 are directed towards the personal hygiene and maintaining good basic
health, seven for healthy social behaviour, and five tenets to worship God. Eight tenets had
been prescribed to preserve the bio-diversity and encourage good animal husbandry. This
includes a ban on killing animals and felling of green trees, and providing protection to all
forms of life. The community is also directed to see that the firewood they use is devoid of
small insects to let them stop killing even the smallest fauna. Also wearing blue clothes is
prohibited in the community because the dye used for colouring those clothes is obtained by
cutting a large quantity of shrubs.

Bishnoism was founded by Guru Jambheshwar of Bikaner, who was born in 1451. His
spiritual name was Jambhaji. Before his death, he had laid down 29 principles to be followed
by the sect. Killing animals and felling trees were banned with some other restrictions.
Jambaji witnessed the incessant clear-cutting of trees during times of drought to feed animals,
only to see them die eventually as the drought continued. He also recognized the importance
of trees within his local ecosystem (keeping animals alive) and banned cutting down green
trees and killing birds or animals. Jambaji's spiritual reverence for nature led to a tradition of
harmony with the local ecology: in the middle of an arid desert region, the Bishnois are
famous for cultivating lush vegetation, caring for animals, and collecting drinkable water.
The prophet Jhambheshwar preferred a proactive philosophy of agricultural development to a
passive approach to the environment.Before his death he has stated that the black buck was
his manifestation after death and should be conserved. This is key Principle for Bishnoi
Community.

He left his followers a scripture in the Nagri character called Shabdwani which consists of
120 SHABDS. The adherents of the sect are the descendants of immigrants from Bikaner ,
parts of haryana and punjab and are exclusively Jats and Rajputs by caste, though they often

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abandon the caste name and describe themselves simple as Bishnois.Now they are settled in
Marwar Region of Rajasthan They dont allow intercaste marriage. Beside these they were
the followers from many other castes like vaishya, agarwals, guptas which are found mainly
in uttar Pradesh. Once therir main occupation was business but today bishnois have
drastically grown in the fields of IT, ENGG, Government work, defence, Diplomacy and
social workers.

Khejarli Massacre A Full account which led to the rise of this Nature loving
tribe to become Sacred Environmentalists.
There are many stories about how the Bishnois have beaten up hunters and poachers for
intruding in their area. But the sacrifice made by Amrita Devi and over 350 others is a heart-
rending example of their devotion.this Incident only led the

The Bishnoi narrate the story of Amrita Devi, as a Bishnoi woman who, along with more than
363 other Bishnois, died saving the Khejarli (acacia) trees. Nearly two centuries back in
1730, Maharajah Abhay Singh of Jodhpur required wood for the construction of his new
palace. So the king sent his soldiers to cut trees in the nearby region of Khejarli, where the
village is filled with the large number of trees. But when Amrita Devi and local villagers
came to know about it, they opposed the king's men. The feudal party told her that if she
wanted the trees to be spared, she would have to give them money as a bribe. She refused to
acknowledge this demand and told them that she would consider it as an act of insult to her
religious faith and would rather give away her life to save the green trees. Before dying she
uttered the now famous couplet of the Bishnois, A chopped head is cheaper than a felled
tree.This is still remembered as the great Khejarli sacrifice. The news spread like wildfire.
The Bishnois of Khejrali gathered and sent summons to their counterparts in eighty-
three Bishnoi villages in the vicinity in full Marwar Region to come and decide on the next
course of action. Since the supreme sacrifice by Amrita Devi and her daughters had not
satisfied the royal party, and the felling of green trees was continued, it was decided that for
every green tree to be cut one Bishnoi, volunteer would sacrifice his/ her life. In the
beginning, old people voluntarily started holding the trees which are going to be cut. Despite
many valiant old persons, giving away their lives, the Hakim (the royal party's leader) ,
Girdhar Das Bhandari, taunted the Bishnois that they were offering unwanted old persons.
Soon, young men, women (including recently married ones) and children were sacrificing
themselves in a similar manner.
There was intense chaos. The tree-felling party was badly shakhen. They left
forJodhpur with their mission unfulfilled and told the Maharaja about what had happened.
Soon as he learnt about it, he ordered the felling of trees to be stopped.
By that time, three hundred and sixty three (363) Bishnois, young and old, men and women,
married and unmarried, rich and poor, had already become martyrs. Those Bishnois who were

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killed protecting the trees were buried in Khejerli village near Jodhpur, where a simple grave
with four pillars had been erected.

Honouring the courage of the Bishnoi community, Maharaja Abhay Singh, apologised for the
mistake committed by his officials and issued a royal decree, engraved on a copper plate
ordering the following:

All cutting of green trees and hunting of animals within the revenue boundaries
ofBishnoi villages was strictly prohibited.

It was also ordered, that if by mistake any individual violated this order, he would be
prosecuted by the state and a severe penalty imposed.

Even members of the ruling family, would not shoot animals in or near Bishnoi
villages.

Although, Bishnois paid a huge price for saving a few trees, this incident had inspired, and
will continue to do so in future, many others to fight and protect trees and wild life.

Every year, in September, the Bishnois assemble there to commemorate the extreme sacrifice
made by their people to preserve their faith and religion, Forest Martyrs Day is marked
annually on September 11, the day of the Khejarli massacre. This sacrifice not only inspired
the Chipco Andoloan in recent years by Sunder Lal Bahuguna but also the Government of
India in the form of Amrita Devi Bishnoi Smrithi Paryavaran Award for contributing to
environment conservation.

Incidents that occurred Before Khejarli Massacre which also affected

Bishnoi Community
The first incident of sacrifice occurred in 1604 AD at village Ramsari in Jodhpur district of
Rajasthan. The two Bishnoi ladies, Karma and Gora chopped off their heads at the village
cross-road as a protest against felling of Khejri trees. It is considered as the first saka (self
immolation) in the Indian history for the sake of a tree. Not many details are available about
the culprits who felled trees around this tiny village, Ramsari which survives to this date. But
the Bishnoi folk lore has profuse mention of the heroic deeds of Karma and Gora who
became the sources of inspiration to other Bishnois.

2nd incident occurred in 1643 AD at Pilwas near Merta in Nagaur district in Rajasthan. The
people had felled trees to propitiate the Holi goddess for that Indian festival of colors. A
Bishnoi man, Buchoji gave away his life in its protest. Thus was added another name in the
history of those sacrificing their lives for protecting green trees.

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 A Study on Protection of flora and fauna by Bishnois

The Bishnois are considered as the first environmentalists of India. They are born nature
lovers. They have, for centuries, married eco-conservation with their faith, making it one of
the most ecologically relevant orders of today. Reverence for nature and all forms of life is
what makes them a true BISHNOI.

The heartland of the Bishnois in the forests near Jodhpur which comes under Marwar region
and a prominent district of Marwar region, is abundant in desert trees and wildlife.It is an
Arid Zone. Here one village of Jalnadi which is called Khejarli is the prominent village in
this region earlier when Khejarli Massacre happened.

The landscape around th villages is greener than elsewhere and the animals mainly antelopes,
particularly the blackbuck and the chinkara, in these forests are not afraid of humans and are
often seen near the villages eating out of the villagers hands. The Bishnois have indeed
proved that human lives are a small price to pay to protect the wildlife and the forests around
them.

They protect the entire ecosystem that exists in their villages. Bishnois are strong lovers of
wild animals. It is because of their protection that in Bishnoi-dominated
areas, deer and antelope (such as blue bulls, black bucks, chinkaras and chowsinghas) are
seen grazing in their fields despite the fact that the state of Rajasthan where the Bishnois
mainly live, faces severe water shortages. And birds like vultures, partridges, peacocks and
even the endangered Great Indian Bustard, find the Bishnoi village a safe haven. Not only do
the Bishnois protect them from poachers, they also actively participate in helping them lead a
life of plenty. These animals and Birds have heaven as the villagers allow animals to graze
freely in their farmlands; by keeping stone vessels near their home that are always filled with
water; and even hanging water-filled pots from the branches of trees for the birds to drink
from.

Some Bishnoi temples also double up as rescue shelters, like the one in Jajiwal. Here the
priest takes care of the injured nilgais, blackbucks and chinkaras, and even feeds them twice a
day. Some of them go back into the wild, while the others prefer to stay in the temple
compound, roaming free.

Even the Bishnoi women take maternal care of the rescued calves, sometimes breast feeding
them if they are newly born. When they are able to walk and fend for themselves, they are
released back into the wild.

A major change thats happened in the 500-year psyche of the Bishnois is their shift from
passive conservation to active conservation. Once upon a time they were content laying down
their lives. Today they actively pursue armed poachers with a mere lathi and tonnes of
courage, capture them and hand them over to the forest authorities. In the last twenty years

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alone, around 14 Bishnois have died defending these animals. The reflection of their new
found aggression is an organisation called the Tiger Force. Its a 1000-strong brigade of
young, fearless warriors of wildlife protection. Spread across hundreds of villages across
Jodhpur, they are now active even in other parts of Rajasthan.

Being nature lovers to the core, they bemoan the fact that, under the Indian Wildlife Act,
animals are accorded various levels of importance. But to a Bishnoi, killing a monitor lizard
is as hideous a crime as killing a tiger. To them, every life has the same value. Bishnois never
kill any animal. The male animals are used for work. However, should there be too many,
they have to be sold, preferably to other Bishnois or even if animals end up with outsiders
they still stand a reasonable chance of dying a natural death unlike countries of European
Union where farmers are paid by special premiums to kill the waste by-product calf as
young as possible, in order to control the meat mountain.

The spirit of conservation has been deeply ingrained in every Bishnoi for over five centuries.
It arises from the belief that every living organism on this earth has an equal right to live.
This intense love for animals brings a curious problem to the fore: feral dogs. Since a Bishnoi
doesnt harm even these vicious dogs, they have become the new predators of blackbucks and
chinkaras. Conscious of the repercussions, the Bishnois in their own non-violent way get
these dogs caught and sterilized so that the damage is limited.

When brutal attacks do happen, the Tiger Force swings into action and takes the injured
animal to the rescue centre in Jodhpur District. Here qualified veterinarians treat these
animals with love and compassion; and if they recover well, release them back to where they
belong - the wild.

The animals live in close proximity to each other and to the humans. An interesting aspect of
wild animals living in close proximity to humans is that their behaviour has undergone some
changes. They start believing that every human being is as compassionate as a Bishnoi. And
this puts them at tremendous risk, especially with poachers.

The Bishnoi Community is also ardent and sacred, lover and protecter of flaora. When you
look into the eyes of a Bishnoi, you see a deep seated love for the forest and all that dwells in
it. And you wonder why every single forest in India is not handed over to them for conserving
its tremendous natural heritage.

Though they are staunch Hindus they often do not cremate their dead but bury them, as they
are not permitted to use wood for the cremation.

There is a saying that goes "Sir santhe rooke rahe to bhi sasto jaan" this means that if a tree
is saved from felling at the cost of ones head, it should be considered as a good deed. It is for
this environmental awareness and commitment that the Bishnois stand apart from other sects
and communities in India.

The paradox of this community is that there are just a handful of them occupying influential
positions in the forest department. And these passionate, upright and courageous officers

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point out the tragic reason behind this anomaly: widespread illiteracy thats the bane of the
Bishnois.

The Bishnoi Dharma knows that people need wood for their hearth. If they fall short of fuel,
their survival may be endangered; hence for cooking (and keeping themselves warm) they
need a minimal level of natural products. But for fuel (or any other thing), one should never
cut the live (i.e. green) trees: this is the nineteenth principle of Bishnois (hare vriksha nahin
katna). However, one is permitted to collect dried wood. While gathering, one should take
care that it does not harbour the colonies of termites or any other parasites; this principle is
coupled with another: milk should be sieved before drinking (indhan bin kar ve dudh chan
kar len). Besides cleaning, it will also separate it from any of the living objects. This idea is
also contained in their eighth principle: they should sieve water before drinking (pani chan
kar piyen).

The Bishnoi eat remarkably well despite the harsh desert environment and the strict rules by
which they live. During the monsoon season, they grow millet, which is then ground into
flour for their staple food, chapattis. Sangari, the small, bean-like fruit of the khejadi tree, is
dried and mixed with the berry of the kair, a desert bush. Chapattis, sangari and kair berries
are the staples at most meals, frequently supplemented with butter and yogurt, delicacies
from the few cows that Bishnoi families raise. This shows their love for environment and
their adjustment with the environment.

July and August, the monsoon season, usually brings rain to the desert of Western Rajasthan.
In a good year, the harvest season extends through October and the generous yield will feed a
family for up to two years. Sometimes, rain may even fall in the off-season, allowing the
Bishnoi to also grow barley. The threat of extended drought always hangs heavy over the
region, forcing the inhabitants to plan far ahead to survive on their reserves of food and water.

Not only Bishnois but also their sacred tree Khejri, Prosopis cineraria,which is also state
tree of Rajasthan, will survive in this environment. They stand in an environment that
endures as little as 100mm rainfall each year, competition for water is the game, but for
Khejri, winning is easy. It is capable of lodging roots 30 metres into the ground and
accessing water obscured from the grasps of animals and other plants alike. Withstanding
great variation in temperatures, it easily copes with summer heat in the 50C range and winter
nights that can bottom at around 0C. Almost evergreen and thriving in the harshest of
conditions, it is a super species, with all the stamina, vigor and resilience of a great warrior.
The Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI) in Jodhpuris also researching on these tries to help
Bishnoi Community in preserving nature and educating farmers of the community about
these desert vegetations.

Both vegetation and fuel for fires are scarce in this arid region of Marwar. In accordance with
their principles, the Bishnoi never cut living trees for firewood or building materials. Instead,

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they rely entirely on the scarce, dry, dead wood they find and much of their fuel for cooking
comes from dried cow and buffalo dung.

Nowadays, Bishnois have government-built houses of cement where their big family sleeps,
instead of their traditional circular huts made of mud and cow-dung with a meshed roof of
fallen branches, which are now used only for other petty works like to grind flour, store millet
and spin cotton thread on the charkha, etc. Their lifestyle is an intriguing blend of traditions
and modern practices. The kids especially girls are going to nearby Bishnoi schools. Cows
tethered in a large, breezy shed provide milk consumed at home and sold to milk suppliers.
Stoves in kitchen runs not on gas but cow dung, dead wood and shrubs. And they used to
make red handprints in houses, marked in remembrance of Amrita Devi.

There are many more such humbling facts and practices of the Bishnoi way of life. We are
forced to stop here and give it a serious thought. A tribal settlement, living in harsh
conditions, struggling to make a living, would still want to protect and preserve the resources
that could have been exploited as a key to their prosperity. The Bishnoi community is a
standing testimony of fanatical fervor for life.

All the Bishnois will go to any extent to protect the wildlife and the forests around them. In
recent years this sect was in the news due to the activities of some Mumbai film group that
had gone on a hunting spree in their area targeting the black buck. The Bishnoi community
has launched strong protests against the killing of black bucks by Salman Khan, a Bollywood
film star and Saif Ali Khan of son of Mansur Khan Pataudi, a former Indian cricketer. The
Bishnois, in keeping to their tradition, prevented them from doing so and lodged a complaint
against two of them in the local police station. This is done by that Tiger Force of Bishnoi
Community about which I have discussed above.

There is another incident in which in October, 1996, Nihal Chand Bishnoi sacrificed his life
for protecting wild animals. A film, Willing to Sacrifice, based on his story won the award for
the Best Environment Film at the 5th International Festival of Films, TV and Video
Programmes held at Bratislava, Slovakia.

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 Conclusion
In this project I studied Bishnois as the first and foremost Nature Lover tribe of India which
not only sacrificed but also sacrificing their life and spending it for conservation of nature so
that future generations will not face the problems of natural disasters and all that which
occurrs when nature become untolerant due to disturbance and exploitation with it. In it I first
discussed the general introduction of Bishnoi tribe which is basically a resident of Marwar
Region of Rajasthan and their population and geographical location, And then a short History
of Bishnoi tribe , How it came into existence and and how this religious tribe become sacred
environmentalist tribe because of their strict adherence of rules of their religion and
community. Then I came to discuss the story or incident full of bravery and courage and
adherence to 29 tenets even by a women, who sacrificed her life with other 363 villagers to
save trees who had inspired present day Chipko movement and which brought this tribe in
lime light. And also this incident makes them ardent conservator of Flora and Fauna in
nature.

And at last I discussed the main topic on which I made my project that is study on
conservation of Bishnoi community in Marwar Region of Rajasthan how the conserve Fauna
of their villages and their surroundings and how they conserve Fauna of their villages and
their surroundings , how they survive in that climate and then also committed to their work an
how their life style is changed due to increasing population , urbanization and modernisation
and how they are able to face any challenge and shown their bravery and fought against all
odds to conserve Mother Nature.

This project has provided me or enriched me with learning and teachings of conservation of
mother nature by some group of people and thats why rose to fame for that . Now whole
world is helping them and applying and implementing their ways for nature conservation. I
analysed that hey shown to whole world that how action can be taken for conservation, as
compared to those who only speak and dont act like Government Ministeries and
International NGOs who have all facilities but day by day our nature is exploiting .Even the
powerful people are misusing their power and exploiting nature . This shows the mental level
of our society about nature.

So I only want to say that everyone should learn from the Bishnoi community and conserve
nature to save our and our generations future.

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