We honour the memory of Amrita Devi Bishnoi who dedicated her life to: ________.

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

AAI Junior Assistant (Fire Service) Official Paper (Held On: 15 Nov, 2022 Shift 2)

provide justice to people displaced by mega hydroelectric projects like Sardar Sarovar Dam
protect a stand of trees from being chopped down to provide timber for construction of a palace
bring awareness of water pollution of Ganga and motivated the Ganga Action Plan
establish the rights of tribals living in forest areas to use tendu leaves to make bidis for a living

Answer 1

The correct answer is protect a stand of trees from being chopped down to provide timber for construction of a palace.

Key Points

Amrita Devi Bishnoi was a notable environmentalist from the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan, India.
In 1730, she led a protest against the felling of trees in her village of Khejarli by the Maharaja of Jodhpur.
She, along with 362 other Bishnois, sacrificed their lives to protect the sacred Khejri trees, a significant event in the history of environmental conservation in India.
The sacrifice made by Amrita Devi and her community members led to the development of the Chipko movement in India.

Additional Information

Chipko Movement
- The Chipko Movement began in the 1970s in Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh), India.
- It was a non-violent agitation aimed at protecting and conserving trees and forests from being destroyed.
- Villagers, especially women, embraced trees to prevent them from being cut down, which is why it is called "Chipko" (meaning "to hug" in Hindi).
- This movement played a crucial role in spreading awareness about environmental conservation in India.
Bishnoi Community
- The Bishnoi community is a religious sect founded by Guru Jambheshwar in the 15th century in Rajasthan, India.
- Bishnois are known for their strong commitment to environmental conservation and animal protection.
- They follow 29 principles (Bishnoi means 'twenty-nine') that include a ban on killing animals and felling green trees.
- The community's dedication to environmental preservation has made them notable conservationists in Indian history.
Khejri Tree
- The Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is a tree native to the Thar Desert in India and is considered sacred by the Bishnoi community.
- It plays a crucial role in preventing desertification and provides fodder, fuel, and timber to local communities.
- The tree is known for its resilience and ability to grow in arid conditions.
- It is celebrated for its ecological significance and cultural importance in Rajasthan.