what was the role of the government in the bishnoi movement in india
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One fine morning, India woke up to the news of famous Bollywood stars involved in killing of the Black Buck and the Chinkara. With this news, the nation not only came to know about the two unique endangered animals but also about the protagonists for nature – the Bishnois.
If not for the Bishnois and their reverence for nature, this incident would have never made it to the headlines. The nation took notice of this erstwhile peace loving tribal community that challenged the reigning stars and ensured that they were thrown behind the bars.
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’.
A Bishnoi woman breastfeeding a young buck along with her child
Bishnoism is said to have started in 1485AD by Saint Guru Jambheshwar in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India. Long before the world came to know about the environmental crises, Bishnois have been cognizant of man’s relationship with nature and the importance to maintain its delicate balance. It is remarkable that these issues were thought about, half a century ago by Bishnoi visionaries. No other religious order has given this level of importance to environment value, protection and care.
Not many people know that the concept of Tree Huggers and Tree-Hugging, have roots in the Bishnoi history. The famous ‘Chipko Movement’ was inspired by a true story of a brave lady called Amrita Devi Bishnoi who refused to let the kingsmen cut the trees. Her head was severed. Seeing their mother lay down her life for the trees, her daughters clung to them. Their heads were severed too. Agitated by the happenings, the neighboring village folk clung to the trees, as the massacre continued. More than 300 people were killed for non-obeisance and for trying to protect the trees. When the king came to know of this, he was ashamed of his mistake. He apologized to the Bishnoi community, ordered to stop felling the trees and hunting of wild animals in Bishnoi areas and punished those who transgressed his orders. This sacrifice not only inspired the “Chipco Andoloan” 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.
The Bishnois are one of the first organized proponents of eco-conservation, wildlife protection, and green living. With their ideals steeped in basic 29 religious tenets, the Bishnois and Bishnoism are very relevant to our evolving world.
To unite people on a common platform, Guru Jambheswar Ji advised 29 principles to become a Bishnoi. The word ‘Bishnoi’ stands for BISH (which means 20) and NOI (mean 9) derived from these 29 principles out of which 6 principles are dedicated to environmental protection and compassion for all living beings.