In parts of Rajasthan and Haryana States in India, there is a drastic difference between the villages where the Bishnoi community lived when compared to villages where others lived. That is the wild animal’s density was very high, and they roamed close to the Bishnoi villages. There is a historical reason why the wild animals loved to stay close to Bishnoi community habitations.

During the visit to Bishnoi community villages in Haryana for a study, I met, Mr Vinod, he narrated the story of a lady named Amrita Devi. She is a member of the Bishnoi sect who inspired as many as 362 other Bishnois to go to their deaths in protest against the cutting down of Khejri trees in September 1730. The Khejri tree that is Prosopis cineraria is also considered to be sacred by the Bishnois. The Maharajah of Jodhpur, Abhay Singh, requiring wood for the construction of a new palace, sent soldiers to cut trees in the village of Khejarli, which was called Jehnad at that time. Noticing their actions, Devi hugged a tree in an attempt to stop them. Her family then adopted the same strategy, as did other local people when the news spread. She told the soldiers that she considered their actions to be an insult to her faith and that she was prepared to die to save the trees. The soldiers did indeed kill her and others until Abhay Singh was informed of what was going on and intervened to stop the massacre. This is the commitment of the Bishnoi community. And I was there to address one of their problems.

With Mr Vinod, I started in a vehicle to see the wildlife in the area. Badopal is a village, about 10 km away from Fatehabad town. In the areas around this village, there are 500 nos of Blackbucks, Neelgai (blue bull), deer, and other wildlife inhabit the area. The Government of India planned a Nuclear Power Plant at the Village Gorakhpur and acquired land for the plant, housing and other utilities. They made a fence of steel wire all around the acquired places. The place acquired for the township had Blackbucks, Neelgai (Blue Bull), Deer and other wildlife. They had restrictions on their movement, and some of the animals have stuck in the barbed fence have died recently. During the visit, I could see herds of animals roaming freely in the area.

A black buck as seen close to a Bishnoi habitation