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National Forest Martyrs Day is held on September 11 to honour those who gave their lives to preserve forests and wildlife. The Ministry of Environment decided in 2013 that a day must be earmarked in honour of forests and people who struggle to protect them due to how crucial woods are for generating a living in many regions of the country.
Key takeaways
- On September 11th of each year, people commemorate the National Forest Martyrs.
- National Forest Martyrs Day was declared a national holiday by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in 2013.
- Due to their reverence for Khejarli trees, members of the Bishnoi community contested the order. Amrita Devi, a woman, gave her head in protest at the proposed logging of Khejarli trees.
2022 National Forest Martyrs Day: Historical Background
On September 11th of 2013, the Ministry of Environment and Forest legally designated the day to be National Forest Martyrs Day. Because the well-known Khejarli Massacre occurred on this day in 1730, it was chosen to commemorate National Forest Martyrs Day. The Rajasthani Maharaja Abhay Singh needed woods for his castle, so he gave the order to chop down the trees in the village of Khejarli.
The Bishnoi community in the Rajasthani village of Khejarli holds the trees in high regard. When the villagers saw the trees removed, they became indignant and objected. It’s thought that a woman named Amrita Devi put her head in the tree while it was being cut down. The episode ended up becoming a tragedy that became known as the Khejarli Massacre throughout history.
For the sake of the trees, many people gave their lives. The troops under Maharaja Abhay Singh killed more than 350 people, including the kids of Amrita Devi. The Majesty ordered his men to stop killing individuals when the situation worsened. King Abhay Singh took it one step further and issued a proclamation outlawing further tree-cutting and wildlife-hunting in the forest.
2022 National Forest Martyrs Day: Importance
On National Forest Martyrs Day, the value of trees is commemorated. We must preserve the forests and safeguard the trees to live healthy lives. Plants greatly influence the ecosystem’s balance. On National Forest Martyrs Day, awareness initiatives are planned to help people understand the significance of forest labourers and their critical role in maintaining the environment and wildlife. Educational institutions throughout India host events to raise public awareness of the need to conserve the environment.
The J&K Forest Department commemorates Forest Martyrs Day
The Forest Department of J&K commemorated the Nationwide Forest Martyrs Day in honour of the courageous front-line workers and forest officers. They gave their lives defending the valuable forest resources in J&K . The J&K Forest Department received the Forest Martyrs Memento at the Shankaracharya Hills in Srinagar, which the forest employees dedicated in the attendance of Dr Mohit Gera, Acting Main Conservator of HoFF & Forests. T. Rabi Kumar, APCCF Kashmir, and Dr. Neelu Gera, Chairman of the Committee of Pollution Control, were also in attendance.
On this day, they remembered the martyrs by placing garlands at the Forester’s Memorial. In addition, frontline employees, senior forest authorities, and regional leaders of different allied Departments paid their condolences to the martyrs by presenting floral garlands and saying prayers. The Environmental Ministry, Government of India In 2013, India designated September 11 as Forest Martyrs Day nationally to remember the terrible Khejarli Massacre in 1730.
Approximately 100 officials of the forest gave their lives in J&K to protect the great forest riches of the Territory under the Union. Recently, the Department of Forest established four foresters’ memorials to honour their tremendous sacrifice. The monuments have been found in Kashmiri Forest Training School at Chitternar and Shankaracharya Hills, two in Jammu and two in Kashmir. Other Forester’s Memorials also honoured Forest Martyrs Day.
Nazir Benazir, an NGO head, was honoured for his tireless work supporting the Forest Department’s afforestation initiatives, such as the Green Drives of J&K. In addition, 75 pupils (Bal Brigade) received awards for their contributions to afforestation efforts and support of Bal Van’s creation in Srinagar. Dr. Gera HoFF & PCCF spoke occasionally and appreciated the UT Authorities’ assistance.
He reflected on the Forest Heroes and urged the officials to change to meet the Department’s new challenges. He uttered in great depth about the necessity to protect trees and their upcoming function in light of mounting pressures: urbanisation, development, population growth, and climatic change.
He said that in addition to providing security at the ecological level to the vulnerable mountainous area of J & K, woods would play a significant role in the future in ensuring water management, food production, energy supplies, health and wellness, and all of these things.
The Department of Forest and its personnel, particularly the frontline workers, must play a more significant role. Dr. Gera praised the hard work of the officers of the forest and other front-line employees for preserving forests and carrying out recent government flagship initiatives, particularly the “Green Drive of J&K,” the revitalisation of ecotourism, Amrit Sarovar, initiatives that are industry-friendly, and services available online that make conducting business more convenient.
