Bishnoi community
Topic: Biodiversity and its Conservation · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 2 "Forest and Wildlife Resources"
Meaning
The Bishnois are a community of Rajasthan. They follow the 29 rules of Guru Jambheshwar, a 15th-century saint. These rules forbid cutting green trees and harming animals. Because of this, wild animals move freely and safely near Bishnoi villages. The Bishnois show how religious belief can protect nature.
Example
In 1730, at Khejarli village near Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Amrita Devi and 362 other Bishnois gave their lives to stop the cutting of khejri trees. Today blackbuck, chinkara, nilgai and peacocks live near Bishnoi villages. The Bishnois especially revere the blackbuck.
Don't confuse with
- Blackbuck and chinkara: both live near Bishnoi villages, but they are different animals. The blackbuck is an antelope of the open plains. The chinkara is the Indian gazelle. NCERT's phrase "black buck (chinkara)" is wrong.
- Chipko movement: this was a 1970s movement in the Himalaya (Chamoli) to stop tree felling. Khejarli happened in Rajasthan in 1730.
Related concepts
- Community participation in conservation
- Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri
- Beej Bachao Andolan
- Navdanya
- Sacred grove
- Niyamgiri Hills
- Rights of nature