Guardians of the Green: The Bishnoi Legacy of Wildlife Conservation & Sustainability

Back in 2021, I planned an explorer’s road trip of Rajasthan with the objective of experiencing the offbeat destinations of the once princely state of India. Rajasthan is known for its palaces, desert, temples, and wildlife, but its real stories lie in its villages.

On a bright, sunny day, I found myself wandering through an arid landscape on a quest to uncover stories of a community committed to extraordinary environmental responsibility. My journey led me to a small village in Osian inhabited by the Bishnoi community. Known as the Guardians of Nature, the Bishnoi live by principles that seem to belong to another era. Despite their adherence to centuries old wisdom, their day-to-day practices are in sync with the modern notions of sustainability and environmental conservation.

The Bishnoi are members of a sect of Hinduism with around 600,000 adherents in northern India. Followers of Guru Jambheshwar, they abide by 29 principles (bish-noi translates to “twenty” and “nine”) that intertwine their lives with the environment. These principles include never cutting green trees, providing shelter to abandoned animals, never consuming meat, and avoiding wearing the colour blue due to the use of indigo in the dye. Their way of life is a testament to sustainable living.

As I ventured into the village near Osian, I was warmly invited to the house of Mr. Amra Ram, a respected leader within the Bishnoi community and the head of the family. He passionately explained the 29 principles that guide their lives, everything from daily routines like bathing and meals to clothing choices.

A mountain of peanuts lay in front of the house, a testament to the fresh harvest I was lucky enough to witness. Knowing it came from the Bishnoi, I could be confident it was organic and fresh. They explained that this peanut harvest is precious, as it only comes once a year. The family also grows other produce such as wheat, mustard, and cumin. Learning this was particularly fascinating considering the location: Rajasthan boasts some of the most infertile lands in India, including the vast Thar Desert. However, long-term government initiatives and support from the local populace have made these lands more fertile than ever, giving the Bishnoi people the opportunity to earn a living through crop sales.

Following our conversation, I ventured into a Bishnoi field. Here, I witnessed their self-sufficiency firsthand. Their crops flourished, and the unique building material used for their houses caught my eye. A special blend of clay and cow dung, this plaster keeps their homes cool during the scorching summer and warm during the chilly winters. Sustainability wasn't limited to their dwellings; I learned about their ingenious rainwater collection system, ensuring a precious resource for both drinking and irrigation.

One principle resonated deeply: a profound respect for nature. The Bishnoi people consider it paramount to protect trees and animals, which is evident in their strict vegetarian diet. In my interactions, they spoke of wildlife with a reverence that was both humbling and enlightening. In a world where sustainability is often discussed theoretically in boardrooms and conferences, the Bishnoi have been living it practically for every day of the past 500 years.

The Bishnoi’s supreme respect for nature is evident in the story of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, who, along with 362 others, sacrificed her life to protect khejri trees. In the early 18th century, a part of Rajasthan was ruled by the Marwar Kingdom. The king at that time, Maharaja Abhai Singh, ordered his troops to cut khejri trees from the village of Khejarli for his palace. Khejarli happened to be Amrita Devi’s home.

As the troops arrived at the village to begin their collection, Amrita Devi roared and vowed no trees shall be cut from the village as the land belongs to the followers of Bishnoi. She warned the troops that to cut through the tree they would have to cut through her. The general offered the villagers a bribe to let them cut the trees, but this only insulted the villagers. More people joined Amrita Devi and hugged the trees. The confrontation escalated as Amrita Devi wouldn't budge. Her famous last words are said to have been: "A chopped head is better than a chopped tree."

The story of this encounter left me in awe. Here was a community, living simply, that was far more dedicated to environmental conservation than the most passionate advocates of sustainability and green living I had encountered in my urban life. The Bishnoi people are proof that sustainable progress is not just about technological advancement, but about truly living in harmony with nature. The Bishnoi live by and die for the protection of beings that cannot speak for themselves. Their story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most advanced ideas come from the simplest of lives.

By Dhruv Razdan

This article was originally published in No. 33 of Globetrotting Magazine.