Amrita Devi, a woman from the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan, protested when the king's men came to cut down sacred Khejri trees. When the woodcutters began felling the trees, Amrita offered her head, and she and her three daughters were beheaded. In total, 363 Bishnois sacrificed their lives to protect the trees. The king was moved by their devotion and issued a decree prohibiting the cutting of green trees or hunting of animals on Bishnoi lands.

1. THE TREE HUGGER – Based on a true
story in Jodhpur, Rajasthan
In 1730 A.D.

2. – Based on a true story in Jodhpur,
Rajasthan
In 1730 A.D.

3. Amrita Devi, a bishnoi woman lived in
Khejardi, a village in Jodhpur district of
Rajasthan
The Bishnois are the members of a
community of nature worshippers

4. The name was derived from the
Khejri trees which were in abundance
in the village

5. Amrita Devi
Maharaja Abhai Singh
Asu, Ratni, Bhagubai [Amrita Devi’s daughters]
Giridhar Bhandari- the minister
The chief woodcutter
The tribal chief
Bishnoi community people

6. On a Tuesday morning, when Amrita Devi was
at home with her three daughters, she learnt
that a number of people had disrupted the
peace of her little green village

7. A party of maharaja Abhai Singh, ruler
of Jodhpur descended on this village to
fell green Khejri trees for burning lime
for the construction of a new palace

8. Amrita Devi protested against the king’s
men attempting to cut green trees as it is
prohibited in Bishnoi religion.
“If a tree is saved even at the cost of one’s
head, it is worth it”, said Amrita

9. Amrita offered her head
The axes which were brought to cut the
trees severed her head and her three
young daughters

10. The felling of green trees was
continued, but this sacrifice started a
mass movement- The Chipko
Movement of the 20th century

11. For every green tree to be cut, one Bishnoi
volunteer sacrificed his/her life.
363 Bishnois became martyrs
It completely shook the tree felling party
They left and informed the maharaja

12. Honouring the courage of the Bishnoi
community, the maharaja apologised
for the mistake

13. The king was moved by the
uncomplaining nature of simple and
kind hearted people issued a royal
decree

14. Felling of green trees and hunting of animals are
strictly prohibited
If by mistake any individual violates this order, he/she
will be prosecuted
Even the members of the ruling family must not shoot
animals