BISHNOI COMMUNITY AND FOREST

CONSERVATION
BY AREEBAH
X-A
 BISHNOI MOVEMENT
• Year: 1700s
• Place: Khejarli, Marwar region,
Rajasthan
• Leaders: Amrita Devi along with
Bishnoi villagers in Kherjarli and
surrounding villages.
• Aim: Save sacred trees from being cut
down by the King’s soldiers for a new
place
 MORE ABOUT BISHNOI COMMUNITY
• Amrita Devi, a female villager could not bear to witness the destruction of both her faith and the village’s sacred trees.
She hugged the trees and encouraged others to do the same.
• 363 Bishnoi villagers were killed in this movement.
• The Bishnoi tree martyrs were influenced by the teachings of Guru Maharaj Jambaji, who founded the Bishnoi faith in
1485 and set forth principles forbidding harm to trees and animals.
• The king who came to know about these events rushed to the village and apologized, ordering the soldiers to cease
logging operations.
• Soon afterwards, the maharajah designated the Bishnoi state as a protected area, forbidding harm to trees and animals.
 RECENT TRENDS OF BISHNOI
MOVEMENT
• In memory of the 363 Bishnois, who died protecting their dear trees, a number of khejri trees are planted around the
area, which is still notably lush and rich with animal life. The Bishnoi sacrifices became the inspiration for a much
larger Chipko Movement that is still growing today, in which villagers physically embrace trees to save them from
logging.
• It is heart-warming to notice that the younger generation of Bishnois is slowly taking over the reigns of protecting the
Earth in their own ways. We are optimistic that this new generation, armed with increased environmental
consciousness and mass support for eco conservation will be successful in preserving the priceless treasures of this
world
 FOREST CONSERVATION

• Forest conservation is the practice of planning and

maintaining forested areas for the benefit and
sustainability of future generation. Forest conservation
become popular int the late 19th and Early 20th centuries.
Forest conservation envolves the upkeep of the natural
resources within a forest that are beneficial to both
humans and the ecosystem.
 STEPS OF FOREST CONSERVATION
• Increasing forest area by afforestation.
• Planted trees on wasted lands lying Idle.
• Stopping the feeling of Immature Trees.
• Overgrazing of cattle, goat,etc on pastures
causes roots to be uprooted. leaving the
soil loose so brone to soil erosion.
• Animal-land ratio should be strictly
maintained as in the croft type animal
rearing in scotland
 USES OF FOREST
• Forest provides fuelwood, bamboo medicine, food leaves
and may other useful things.
• Forests support many living organisms including
animals, birds, insects, microrganisms and plants.
• More than 75% of the world’s usable fresh water comes
from forested areas
 DEFORESTATION
• Deforestation is the clearing and removal of trees in large
numbers, often resulting in damage to the quality of the
land.
• THE PRIMARY REASON FOR DEFORESTATION ARE:
• Cutting trees to use the wood for building homes and
fences or for other construction needs
• Clearing the land to plant crops.
• Clearing the land to build roads or new buildings
 EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION
• Loss of food- trees produce nuts or fruits which provide food for people and animal
• Loss of plants and animals- without the protection of big trees, many plants that are used for food or medicine
die.
• Floods and droughts- deforestation decreases water absorption in the soil thus decreasing the ground water
level.