Published: 23 February 2026Free Press Journal / Social News XYZRajasthan
Rajasthan Imposes Statewide Ban on Felling of Khejri Trees After Bishnoi Community's Khejri Bachao Andolan
Following 11 days of sustained mass protest — the Khejri Bachao Andolan — by the Bishnoi community in Bikaner, the Rajasthan government announced a statewide ban on the felling of Khejri trees (Prosopis cineraria) in February 2026. The government directed all District Collectors to strictly prohibit cutting of Khejri trees and assured the community that a comprehensive Tree Protection Law would be introduced during the ongoing Budget Session of the Rajasthan Assembly.
The agitation was triggered by the felling of khejri trees to make way for solar power plants in western Rajasthan. A study revealed that nearly five lakh trees were cut across Bikaner district over the past 14 years — mostly khejri and other native species. The protest drew nearly one lakh citizens at its peak and was led by Bishnoi saints and community leaders.
The Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), known as the 'Kalpavriksha of the desert,' is Rajasthan's State Tree. It is culturally sacred to the Bishnoi community, whose 29 principles — laid down by Guru Jambheshwar in the 15th century (Bis = 20, Noi = 9) — explicitly prohibit cutting green trees. The Bishnoi community's martyrdom in the 1730 Khejarli massacre, where 363 people sacrificed their lives to protect khejri trees, is considered the world's first recorded instance of tree protection sacrifice and is the inspiration for India's modern Chipko Movement. The Rajasthan government's ban reaffirms the state's ecological and cultural heritage while balancing the demands of renewable energy expansion.
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Frequently asked questions
What was the Khejri Bachao Andolan and what did it achieve?
The Khejri Bachao Andolan was an 11-day protest led by the Bishnoi community in Bikaner, Rajasthan, in February 2026. Around 1 lakh protesters demonstrated against the felling of Khejri trees for solar energy projects. The andolan succeeded in pushing the Rajasthan government to impose a statewide ban on Khejri tree felling and promise a Tree Protection Law in the Budget Session 2026.
Why is the Khejri tree ecologically and culturally significant in Rajasthan?
Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is Rajasthan's State Tree and is revered by the Bishnoi community as sacred. Ecologically, it is a drought-resistant tree that provides fodder, fixes nitrogen, reduces soil erosion, and supports biodiversity in arid landscapes. Its cultural significance stems from the Bishnoi community's 550-year tradition of protecting trees and wildlife, rooted in the teachings of Guru Jambheshwar.
What is the historical precedent for the Bishnoi community's tree protection tradition?
The 1730 Khejarli Massacre is the historical precedent. Amrita Devi and 363 Bishnois of Khejarli village in Jodhpur sacrificed their lives embracing Khejri trees to prevent them from being felled on the orders of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. This event is considered the world's first recorded eco-martyrdom and inspired the Chipko movement of the 1970s.
What was the conflict between solar energy projects and Khejri tree conservation in Rajasthan?
Rajasthan is a major hub for solar energy development due to its vast arid land and high solar irradiance. However, large-scale solar park installations required clearing land that included Khejri trees, particularly in Bikaner and surrounding areas. The Bishnoi community protested that authorities were permitting felling of the protected State Tree for commercial energy projects without adequate legal safeguards.
What is the significance of a statewide ban versus district-level restrictions on Khejri tree felling?
A statewide ban applies uniformly across all 41 districts of Rajasthan, eliminating loopholes where felling could be permitted in one district while restricted in another. It signals a stronger policy commitment, creates a uniform legal deterrent for all project developers, and makes enforcement by forest departments more consistent. A district-level restriction, by contrast, is easier for project developers to circumvent.
