Every year, National Forest Martyrs Day is celebrated on September 11 in India to remember those who lost their lives while protecting our nature.
The day was officially declared in the year 2013 by the Ministry of Environment and Forest. Since then, Indians celebrate the day and pay tribute to those who were martyred while protecting natural resources.
National Forest Martyrs Day 2021: History
The story behind the day goes back to the year 1730, during that time Rajasthan was ruled by Maharaja Abhay Singh, who ordered to cut down the Khejarli trees. This decision was not accepted by the people of the Bishnoi community, who believed these trees to be sacred.
When the army of Maharaja reached the forest and started the process of chopping the trees, a courageous woman named Amrita Devi came forward and stood against it. Amrita Devi asked to chop her head, instead of the tress.
The merciless army of the Maharaja chopped the heads of Amrita Devi and her three daughters, who stood against them with their mother. Along with Amrita and her three daughters, 365 Bishnois sacrificed their lives at that time.
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When this news reached the ears of Maharaja, he immediately ordered to stop chopping and apologized for the action of his ministers. He further praised the Bishnoi community for their valour. Additionally, he issued a decree prohibiting the cutting of Khejari trees and hunting of animals in and near the Bishnoi village.
This horrific incident is known as the “Khejarli massacre,” which was happened on September 11, 1730, the 10th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapad (according to the Hindu calendar).
National Forest Martyrs Day 2021: Quotes
- “The forest is not a resource for us, it is life itself. It is the only place for us to live.”
- “Take care of the trees, they will take care of you.”
- “If you cut a tree, you kill a life. If you save a tree, you save a life. If you plant a tree, you plant a life.”
- “In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.”
- “The forests are the lungs of the world”
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National Forest Martyrs Day 2021: How to celebrate?
- Plant a tress,
- Salute and pay tribute to the martyrs,
- Raise awareness about the importance of forest and wildlife, and
- Organize events like painting, poster designing, slogan writing etc., to raise awareness among the youth.