National Forest Martyrs Day is celebrated every year on September 11 in India to pay tribute to those who died for the protection of the forest and wildlife of the country. The day honours protective environmentalists and personnel of the forest who have experienced certain risks in the process of conservation of natural resources.
National Forest Martyrs Day History
The day goes back to the memory of the Khejarli Massacre, which took place in 1730 in the Marwar Kingdom. The then Maharaja Abhai Singh demanded Khejri trees from the Bishnoi village of Khejarli to be cut down to provide timber for his new palace.
However, his action was resisted by the Bishnoi community, which has always been very sensitive towards the natural community.
Villagers under the leadership of Amrita Devi Bishnoi protested by hugging trees to safeguard them. Unfortunately, Devi and many other members of the village were slain while defending the trees. It was estimated that 363 of them died while protesting.
In recognition of this sacrifice, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India declared September 11 as the National Forest Martyrs Day in 2013.
National Forest Martyrs Day Significance
The day celebrates the lives of environmental activists, forest personnel or any ordinary citizen who has to work in dangerous situations and in some cases lose their lives while trying to conserve natural resources.
It pays tribute to those who risked their lives against people who did illegal logging, poaching and deforestation in order to protect India’s valuable forests and wildlife.
National Forest Martyrs Day is specifically dedicated to educating people about the significance of preserving the forest and the role the forests play in the environmental balance.
National Forest Martyrs Day 2024 Quotes
- “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
- “Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
- “Gold is a luxury. Trees are necessities. Man can live and thrive without gold, but we cannot survive without trees.” – Paul Bamikole
- “In all things of nature, there is something of the marvellous.” – Aristotle
- “What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.” – Mahatma Gandhi
- “At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest. Now I realize I am fighting for humanity.” – Chico Mendes
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