Sep 11,2024
National Forest Martyrs Day is celebrated every year on September 11 in India to pay tribute to those who died for the protection of the forest and wildlife of the country. The day honours protective environmentalists and personnel of the forest who have experienced certain risks in the process of conservation of natural resources.
The day goes back to the memory of the Khejarli Massacre, which took place in 1730 in the Marwar Kingdom. The then Maharaja Abhai Singh demanded Khejri trees from the Bishnoi village of Khejarli to be cut down to provide timber for his new palace.
However, his action was resisted by the Bishnoi community, which has always been very sensitive towards the natural community.
Villagers under the leadership of Amrita Devi Bishnoi protested by hugging trees to safeguard them. Unfortunately, Devi and many other members of the village were slain while defending the trees. It was estimated that 363 of them died while protesting.
In recognition of this sacrifice, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India declared September 11 as the National Forest Martyrs Day in 2013.
The day celebrates the lives of environmental activists, forest personnel or any ordinary citizen who has to work in dangerous situations and in some cases lose their lives while trying to conserve natural resources.
It pays tribute to those who risked their lives against people who did illegal logging, poaching and deforestation in order to protect India’s valuable forests and wildlife.
National Forest Martyrs Day is specifically dedicated to educating people about the significance of preserving the forest and the role the forests play in the environmental balance.
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