https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Protecting Our Natural Wealth with their Lives

India commemorates National Forest Martyr’s Day on September 11, a homage to forest officials who lost their lives while protecting the country’s forests and wild-life.
Indian Masterminds Stories

From the infamous ‘Khejarli massacre’ which took place in 1730 to a recent death of a forest guard who was stranded to death by an elephant while patrolling the Beriwada forest range of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, India tops the chart of the deadliest countries for the protectors of forests. But at the same time, this reflects the commitment of the forest personnel in the country and the courage they show towards their line of work.

Today on 11 September, National Forest Martyrs Day is being commemorated all across the country in order to pay due respect to those who lost their lives while protecting our forests and wildlife.

PROTECTING THE FORESTS

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Dr Saket Badola, who is currently the Head-TRAFFIC, WWF India, said “This day has a historical reference as in 1730s when the Bishnoi women resisted felling of khejri trees. It is important for us to highlight the challenges and threats which forest rangers are facing and also a way to communicate to the people that we need to support them if we need to save our biodiversity.”

“However,” he added “there are several reasons behind their death while protecting forests and the wildlife. First of all, the cases of illegal mining. While resisting the mining mafia, the forest officers have to face the brunt of it. Secondly, the timber mafias are another threat. Apart from this, poaching, human-wildlife conflict and patrolling are other reasons due to which forest ranger lose their lives.”

KHEJARLI MASSACRE

Even before the famous Chipko Movement which took place in 1980s, a brave act was shown by the Bishnoi’s who sacrificed their lives to protect the forests in the 18th century in Rajasthan.

The historic event took place when the then Maharaja Abhay Singh of Jodhpur wished to build a palace in Jalnadi now called Khejarli village. For this, he asked his soldiers to cut off the sacred khejri trees coming in the way of construction.

KHEJARLI MASSACRE

However, as the trees were sacred and of a lot more importance to the people, their leader Amrita Devi Bishnoi stood in the way of the Maharaja’s army to protect the trees. Despite strict instructions from the Maharaja, the brave Bishnoi women didn’t budge. She was attacked and killed by the soldiers. Her three daughters and a large number of other women from the areas met the same fate. Before dying, they all uttered the prhase,”A felled tree is more important than a chopped head.”

As many as 363 Bishnoi women were martyred on that particular day and due to the sacrifice of the protestors, the order of felling the trees was recalled by the remorseful kind.

SAVING FOREST RANGERS

Mr. Badola emphasized that “We need to make the lives of forest rangers safe and easy. For this, we need to make them equipped which necessary tools and support they require. In case of human-wildlife conflict, they should get a proper gear through which they can protect themselves from the attack of animals. This can also help them in patrolling. Infrastructure support is also important at the same time. Apart from this, proper training of these officers is essential so that they can survive in the worst conditions.”

As India is commemorating the Forest Martyrs Day, many Indian Forest Officers (IFS) also took to Twitter to pay their homage to the fellow officers who lost their lives while protecting the forests. Here are a few of the Tweets:


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
MP
Historic First: Madhya Pradesh Cabinet to Meet in 137-Year-Old Pachmarhi Raj Bhavan, Pays Tribute to Tribal Hero
Untitled design (10)
BIG: India’s Economy Could Hit $30 Trillion by 2047, Says G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant - But Will Need 500 Cities, 400 Airports to Get There
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
DMRC
DMRC Introduces Priority Frisking for Special Category Passengers - All Details Inside
Bank_Banking_news
SBI and Indian Bank Announce Key Changes in Senior Management - Check All Postings
DMRC
DMRC Director Manuj Singhal Honoured with 'Distinguished Corporate Leader Award-2025' by DTU-DCE
LIC Housing Finance
LIC Housing Finance Appoints T.C. Suseel Kumar as Additional Independent Director - Know About Him
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services (IAS)
Telangana IAS Officer's Remarks on Students Cleaning Toilets Sparks Political Uproar - Know the Case
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Social Media
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
UPSC Latest IAS IPS IFS
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Tomorrow: ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Last-Minute Motivation for Aspirants
His five-post thread offers encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support - not just for those...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
MP
Historic First: Madhya Pradesh Cabinet to Meet in 137-Year-Old Pachmarhi Raj Bhavan, Pays Tribute to Tribal Hero
Untitled design (10)
BIG: India’s Economy Could Hit $30 Trillion by 2047, Says G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant - But Will Need 500 Cities, 400 Airports to Get There
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT