Bikaner : These days the biggest movement is going on in Rajasthan to save Khejri. The fire of this movement which started from the villages has now reached Bikaner. Under this, about 150 people are sitting on strike at two places for the last 39 days. They are agitating to save Khejri from the government.
Protest continues in Bikaner for 39 days
People of Bikaner and Chhatargarh, who have been on strike for 39 days, say that they will continue their strike until the government takes steps to protect the Khejri trees and promises to save these trees. Along with this, the people sitting on the dharna allege that thousands of Khejri trees are being cut in the name of setting up solar plants. Alka Devi Bishnoi has been on a fast unto death for the last 39 days to save the existence of Khejri trees.
Demand to make law for security
Alka Devi Bishnoi, who is on a fast unto death, says that she will not break her fast until a law is made for the safety of Khejri. Around 150 people from Bikaner and Chhattargarh are sitting on strike with him. Before this, 94 memorandums have been sent to the CM in this matter. But no reply has been received till now. And if further response is not received then the protest will continue.
The accused is released after paying Rs 100
Mokhram Dharania, President of Jeev Raksha Sanstha, says that to protect the environment, it is necessary to save trees, plants and wild animals and birds including Khejri. We are agitating for this. The government is being demanded to amend the law. Currently, the accused is released after paying only Rs 100. Our demand is that there should be a provision of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of lakhs of rupees for this crime.
what is khejdi
In Rajasthan, Khejri is considered as Kalpavriksha. There is a tradition of worshiping this tree by considering it as the form of God. It is called the lifeline of Western Rajasthan. Because Khejri has contributed in saving the environment of this area. Apart from playing its role in the environment, it is also a major source of fodder for animals in the form of vegetables like Sangri in this area. But in the last few years, due to the uncontrolled solar plants being set up in Bikaner, lakhs of these trees have been cut, the effect of which is also visible on the environment here. In protest against this, Save Khejri and Save Environment Sangharsh Samiti have started the movement from 16th August, but in Bikaner it had started 39 days ago.
363 people sacrificed their lives to save Khejarli
It is noteworthy that this movement to save Khejarli has become one of the biggest movements after 294 years. Earlier, on 12 September 1730, 363 people in Khejarli village had sacrificed their lives to save Khejarli. Among these martyrs, 69 were women and 294 were men. Since then there is a ban on cutting of Khejarli trees and any kind of hunting in Khejarli village. The world’s only tree fair is held in Khejarli. This village was named Khejarli because of the large number of Khejarli trees.
