• National Forest Martyrs Day is observed on September 11 to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their

lives to protect forests and wildlife.

• The observance of the National Forest Martyrs is marked by several events aimed at creating awareness about protecting forests and the environment at large.
• The day holds a lot of significance in the present scenario when depleting green cover is among the greatest challenges in front of the world.

History:

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change declared in 2013that a day should be set aside in honour of forests and people who protect India’s forests, jungles, and wildlife.
• The tragic Khejarli massacre occurred on September 11, 1730,which is why this day was chosen to be recognised as National Forest Martyrs Day.
• Cutting down the Khejarli trees in the forest was ordered by Maharaja Abhay Singh of Rajasthan.
• Bishnoi community people protested against the order as they considered Khejarli trees to be sacred.
• A woman named Amrita Devi offered her head to save Khejarli trees from being cut down, as a mark of protest.
• The incident turned out to be a tragedy that got written down in history as Khejarli Massacre. Many people sacrificed their lives to save the trees.
• The children of Amrita Devi along with more than 350 people were killed by the soldiers of Maharaja Abhay Singh.
• When the incident became more adverse than the King ordered his soldiers to stop killing the people.
• He pardoned the people of the Bishnoi Community and proclaimed that no trees will be cut down and not a single animal will be killed in the areas surrounded by the people of Bishnoi Community.