Bishnoi Community
Overview
Origin: The Bishnoi community, often regarded as Eco-Warriors, is a Hindu sect residing mainly in the Western Thar Desert and parts of Northern India, particularly Rajasthan.
Bishnoi community: Founder:
Guru Jambhesvara (born in 1451 AD in Peepasar, Nagore district), a visionary known for his pioneering environmental and ethical values, founded this community. His followers view him as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Bishnoi Community- Name Significance
- The name “Bishnoi” derives from the 29 ethical commandments established by Guru Jambhesvara, which laid the foundation for their role as Guardians of Biodiversity.
- Bish = 20
- Noi = 9
Core Principles: Eight of these rules emphasize their mission as Stewards of Sustainability, prohibiting:
- Killing animals
- Cutting down trees
- Sterilizing bulls
Role in Conservation
The Bishnoi community’s contributions to wildlife and environmental conservation have made them Martyrs for Conservation and Saviors of the Desert Ecosystem:
Khejri Massacre (1730 AD):
- Amrita Devi and her daughters sacrificed their lives, leading 363 Bishnois in resisting Maharaja Abhay Singh’s attempt to fell Khejri trees. This act of bravery remains a defining moment in their history as Crusaders for Nature.
Great Indian Bustard Protection (1978):
- Their persistent protests against hunting saved the Great Indian Bustard from extinction, cementing their role as Conservation Crusaders.
Chinkara and Blackbuck Conservation:
- The Bishnoi community’s deep spiritual connection to these species makes them Saviors of Wildlife. Their active involvement in reporting poaching (e.g., the Salman Khan case) showcases their dedication as Vigilant Protectors.
Species Overview
Blackbuck:
- Habitat: Exclusively found in the Indian subcontinent.
- Description: Males have corkscrew-shaped horns; females are fawn-colored.
- Conservation Status: Listed as ‘Least Concern’ by IUCN (2017), protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
- Legal Protection: Hunting is a non-bailable offense, punishable by up to six years in prison. Bishnois worship the blackbuck, symbolizing their role as its Spiritual Protectors.
Chinkara (Indian Gazelle):
- Habitat: Endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
- Conservation Status: Listed as ‘Least Concern’ by IUCN, protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
- State Animal: Rajasthan. Bishnois’ reverence for the chinkara enhances their identity as Custodians of Endangered Species.
Great Indian Bustard:
- Habitat: Found only in India; indicator species for grassland health.
- Conservation Status: Critically endangered, population has dwindled from ~700 to <150 individuals.
- Role of Bishnois: Their role as Grassland Guardians is crucial in preserving habitats vital to the survival of species like the Great Indian Bustard.
The Bishnoi community, as Pioneers of Environmental Ethics, exemplifies a harmonious relationship with nature and wildlife conservation. Their enduring legacy as Eco-Warriors and Defenders of Biodiversity continues to inspire movements in environmental sustainability today.
The Bishnoi Community is an important topic for the UPSC exam due to its relevance in multiple sections of the syllabus, including Indian culture, environment, ethics, and current affairs. Here’s why this topic is significant for UPSC preparation:
1. Environmental Conservation and Ethics:
- General Studies Paper 3: Under the environment section, questions related to conservation efforts, biodiversity, and the role of communities in protecting flora and fauna can be asked. The Bishnois’ deep-rooted commitment to environmental ethics serves as an example of grassroots environmental activism, making it highly relevant to topics like sustainable development and ecological preservation.
- The Khejri massacre and the Bishnois’ role in preventing deforestation and wildlife poaching are key examples of community-led conservation efforts that UPSC examiners value.
2. Cultural and Historical Significance:
- General Studies Paper 1: The Bishnoi community’s contributions to preserving India’s natural heritage also link to topics like Indian culture and social movements. Their sacrifices for tree protection (e.g., the Khejri massacre) can be cited as a historic instance of environmentalism in Indian culture.
- The Bishnoi movement can be used as a case study in questions related to religion and ethics in environmental protection.
3. Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude (GS Paper 4):
- The Bishnoi community’s principles of environmental stewardship reflect ethical values such as integrity, duty, and moral responsibility. This topic could be used in case studies where questions about sustainable development, community responsibility, and ethical environmental leadership are raised.
4. Current Affairs:
- The Salman Khan poaching case involving blackbucks and chinkaras brings this topic into contemporary relevance, making it an important point in current affairs for both Prelims and Mains.
- Understanding the legal protection of wildlife and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, under which species like the blackbuck and chinkara are protected, can be crucial for answering environment-related questions in the exam.
5. Essay Paper:
- The Bishnoi community’s unique way of life, with a deep focus on environmental conservation, can be a powerful topic for essays on themes like “Environment and Religion”, “Role of Communities in Conservation”, or “Ethical Environmental Practices.”
- Their example can also be incorporated in essays discussing the interconnection between culture, ethics, and the environment.
The Bishnoi community topic holds interdisciplinary importance, spanning Indian culture, environmental conservation, ethics, and current affairs. It provides rich content for case studies, essays, and direct questions in both Prelims and Mains. Being well-prepared on this topic gives you a well-rounded understanding of environmentalism in India, supported by examples that enhance your answers in multiple papers.