Jaipur/Bikaner: The Khejri Bachao Andolan, demanding protection for Rajasthan’s state tree, the Khejri, is gaining momentum across the state. A week after the launch of the Mahapadav (Great Protest) in Bikaner, thousands of environmental activists, Bishnoi community members, Hindu saints, and rural women continue a relay hunger strike, urging the state government to pass a strong law safeguarding the tree.
On Monday, a Kalash Yatra was held in Bikaner as part of the ongoing movement. Elderly participants, youth, and women joined the procession, singing traditional songs and raising slogans emphasizing the ecological importance of the Khejri tree. The agitation has spread beyond Bikaner to Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, and Jalore, where similar protests are underway.
In Jaipur, a delegation of saints and Sangharsh Samiti members met Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, who assured them that the government would soon introduce a stringent Khejri Conservation Act to prevent felling and ensure long-term protection of the tree. The delegation demanded an immediate ban on tree felling and urged the government to table the legislation in the current Assembly session.
CM Sharma vows to protect Khejri trees while supporting renewable energy.
Last week, CM Sharma had announced the proposed law in the Rajasthan Assembly. Speaking at a programme at his residence on Sunday, saints welcomed the announcement, calling it a “Rajasthan model of environmental protection.” The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to conservation, promising to incorporate suggestions from environmentalists and community leaders while balancing renewable energy development with ecological preservation.
Despite these assurances, activists remain sceptical. They claim Khejri trees continue to be cut for solar projects, particularly in Bikaner. Parasram Bishnoi, convener of the Khejri Bachao Andolan, said no strict action has been taken against those responsible.
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Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also commented, stressing that legislation alone is insufficient without public awareness. In a video message, he praised the movement, highlighting the historic sacrifice of Amrita Devi and 63 others who gave their lives protecting Khejri trees. Gehlot warned that unchecked deforestation leads to ecological imbalance, rising temperatures, and health hazards, and called for sustainable policies that support solar energy without harming Rajasthan’s ecological heritage.
Following their meeting with the Chief Minister, saints have returned to Bikaner to decide the next phase of the agitation. Protesters have issued an ultimatum, warning that if their demands are unmet, nearly 500,000 people may undertake a mass hunger strike on February 17.