The gracious and magnanimous Khejadi tree is the naturally grown tree of Rajasthan. It has the same reputation in Rajasthan as Neem has in whole of India. It’s valued for every part of it. Anecdotes mention that in the most severe famines Rajasthani people survived by digging roots of this tree. Camels love to chew it’s little leaves. The tree doesn’t need any watering and it’s so generous that the soil under it remains moist. Very few trees support little vegetation under their shade.

This tree remarkable for standing alone in desert wildernesses or in the middle of tilled fields dependent on little scanty rains is vanishing rapidly from the necessities of modern Rajasthanis. This is the same tree for which hundreds gave their life in the famous Bishnoi village of Khejarli near Jodhpur to save from being chopped off. Very few dare to care that the Sangri bean of the famous kair-sangri curry grows on this tree. We are fast reaching a point when protecting each tree has become important. We feel proud of keeping care of a dozen odd Khejri trees under our protection. A small number, but more valuable is keeping the conscience of centrality of trees in life alive. More important is to be on the side of protectors; a conscience that leads to revival of certain old habits that we should have never abandoned.

Khejarli Massacre

It was the grove of Khejadi trees which was to be cut down for the need of wood in King’s palace. This happened in year 1730 near Jodhpur when a local Bishnoi woman by the name Amrita Devi intercepted the noise of royal workers who were attempting to cut the Khejadi trees. Bishnoi is the name of a farming community who are followers of Guru Jambeshwar. The Guru propounded several resolutions which were aimed towards social reforms through austerity and harmony with nature. Due to living in harsh environment of the desert, these resolutions have proven to be time tested. Trees are forbidden to be destroyed in their beliefs and killing of animals is prohibited. Even social & religious events were modified to avoid unnecessary felling of trees and burning of wood. The tree of Khejadi being able to stay green and omnipotent even in the driest of the years came to be considered especially pious tree for the community. The village of Khejarli which is now famous because of Amrita Devi’s sacrifice also got its name from the Khejadi trees as those were nicely protected there by the Bishnoi community. Before even the first tree could fall to the axe, Amrita Devi got hold of the tree trunk and got herself chopped off. Her three daughters met the similar fate. Other villagers followed suit and wrapped themselves around the Khejadi trees, only to be axed by the royal servants. A total of 363 men & women were killed before the royal order was withdrawn. Khejarli massacre is an important chapter in the consciousness of the people in the region of Rajasthan and the neighbouring States. As time elapsed, the importance of this event was duly recognized and it is now narrated as an inspirational story. In 2013, the Ministry of Environment and Forests instituted the Amrita Devi Bishnoi National Award to honor the individuals involved in environment & wildlife protection.