Thursday, October 12, 2006

RAJASTHAN’S FLORA AND FAUNA

RAJASTHAN’S FLORA AND FAUNA


The Bishnois, a community living on the edge of the Marusthali near Jodhpur are the earliest ecologists known to the world. The Bishnoi sect founded about 500 years ago, believes that all forms of life apart from being sacred are vital to each other’s existence. The Bishnois derive their name from bees and nau – the 29 principles laid down by their founder Guru Jambhoji. They strictly adhere to these principles and revere and preserve all flora and fauna. The Bishnois, however, have sacrificed many lives for their principles. Three centuries ago Amrita Devi and about 360 Bishnois were hacked to death because they clasped to save the trees which the axemen came to cut for palace of Maharaja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur. On hearing the news of their sacrifice, the remorseful maharaja recalled his men and proclaimed that no tree or animal be killed in the Bishnoi villages. As a result, the blackbuck (Indian antelope) and CHINKARA (Indian Gazelle) wander freely in Bishnoi villages and no hunter dares to kill them.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home