ONCE UPON
A TIME IN
KHEJARLI
Yes, I am, ‘khejarli’
a small village about 25 km south of desert city of Jodhpur (Rajasthan). Once
upon a time there were abundance of ‘khejari’
(prosperous cineraria) trees that is why; I was glorified with this name, but
one event of devotion by The
Bishnois to protect trees took me on the world map. I am
expressing my feelings with intense sorrow. In the old time people were so compassionate
toward khejari which is endangered tree and
even sacrificed their life to protect it and I know better than anyone else. I
have witnessed a ‘black Tuesday’ in 1730(tenth
bright moon of bhadrapad month in 1787 as per Hindi calendar) when one color of
humanity (The Bishnois)
was showing love toward trees whereas another form of humanity was so cruel to
cut it. A battalion of mighty king of Jodhpur under command of cold-hearted
Girdhar Bhandari arrived here, for want of fuel (wood) which was needed to
build king’s palace. I was not aware of being merely a witness of a horrifying
massacre being written in history by human being against human being as a cost
to protect a living being (tree). The Bishnois
of my village were not ready to except the fact that khejari
being cut by human being for their cheaper need! The news spread in whole
region and The Bishnois of all nearby
villages came here irrespective of gender including children. They were happy
to sacrifice for the holy cause. ‘Amrita Devi
Bishnoi’ was first to lay her life followed by her two daughters with a slogan
“SAR SANTHE RUNKH RAHE TOH BHEE SASTO JAN” (“A chopped head is cheaper than a
felled tree”). 363 ‘Bishnois’ laid their life to save ‘khejari’ because they
were preached “JEEV DAYA PALNI RUNKH LILO NEE GHAVE” (“have compassion for
living being, do not cut green trees”) by ‘Guru Jamboji’. Since that day, I am witnessing
an annual congregation on tenth light moon of bhadrapad month of Hindi calendar
here in khejarli in memory of brave eco-warriors
who laid their life for the sacred tree of khejari.
People come here to pay homage to the
eco- martyr at the cenotaph built in memory of these warriors here in khejarli.
I feel some pleasure, when people come to share my sorrows with full spirit and
in a good turnout. The day start with a ‘Havan’
performed with coconuts as per The
Bishnoi ritual
followed by wreath lying at cenotaph which continues for whole day. Prayavaran
sangosty (environmental meet) takes place that day. The environmentalist, The Bishnoi intellectuals, religious gurus,
ordinary people and union and state environ Minister used to attend this meet
every year. I have become a symbol for
protection of flora and fauna which is today’s need. Are you coming there on 14
sep. 2013 to remember those 363 eco-warriors? If
yes, it’s good because it’s your human
being’s need to protect environment otherwise future seems very murky for you
in the era of globalization, development, deforestation, and not the least ‘global warming’ created by you only. If you
want to preserve biodiversity and maintain eco-balance to save this planet come
to khejarli to learn some tips from The Bishnoism. Remember 14 Sep.
2013. See you all nature lovers and tree huggers there in khejarli.
