National Forest Martyrs Day 2022: History, Significance and Celebrations

National Forest Martyrs Day is celebrated annually on 11th September in India and it is a day dedicated to all forest workers who keeps forest secure

Every year on 11 September, National Forest Martyrs Day is marked and observed in India. It is a day to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to protect the wildlife, forests, and jungles in India.

The day as the name suggests is observed to pay tributes to those who laid down their lives in order to protect the jungles, forests and wildlife across India and it is a memorial day also which remembers the infamous Khejarli massacre of 1730. 

The day officially came into existence in 2013 after the Ministry of Environment and Forest made the declaration and since then people observes this festival annually on 11th September. 

Event National Forest Martyrs Day
Date September 11, 2022
Day Sunday
Significance The day honors and pays tribute to those who have given their lives to protect wildlife
Observed by India

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National Forest Martyrs Day History: 

The date of September 11 was chosen by the Ministry of Environment and Forest as on this date in 1730, the infamous Khejarli massacre took place. During this tragic incident, soldiers started cutting Khejarli trees on the orders of the then king Maharaja Abhay Singh of Rajasthas he wanted to collect woods for his palace. These trees were considered sacred by the people that belonged to the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan’s Khejarli village.

According to believes during the cutting of these trees a women named Amrita Devi offered her head in place of the sacred Khejarli tree. Angry over the act of meaningless cutting of trees, people in that village rose in protest and offered their lives in place of trees.

However this incident later turned into tragedy which we today know as 'Khejarli Massacre'. As the soldiers beheaded her and continued to kill over 350 people including Amrita’s children, who rose in protest and offered their lives in place of the trees. So this incident turned into a massacre. 

On hearing this massacre, the shocked king instantly ordered his soldiers to spot killing the people and apologised to them who belonged to the Bishnoi community. Along with his apology, King Maharaja Abhay Singh made a declaration stating that no cutting of trees and killing of animals will take place in areas that are around the Bishnoi villages. 

National Forest Martyrs Day Significance: 

But do you know that every year many of forest workers and rangers even today loses their lives while protecting India's wildlife, national parks, forests, animal sanctuaries, etc. And it happens because of incidents like robbery, poaching, smuggling, terrorism and similar things done by criminals. 

Sometimes it can also happen because of any accident or being hunted by an animal. But despite all of these issues and with a risk of losing their lives these forest rangers and workers works day and night to endure that our forests, wildlife including wild animals and protect species remains secure and safe. 

But despite all of their contributions and sacrifices made by them on securing India's great natural resources, we as people often neglects their contribution and doesn't pay them respect which they deserves. 

Thus this day also works as an awareness campaign about all the forest workers and to all of those people who works towards protecting our wildlife and environment. As India is one of the megadiverse countries in the world that means the nature has blessed India very much and now it is our responsibility as citizens to protect this gift of nature which is given to us by the God. 


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National Forest Martyrs Day Celebrations: 

In order to mark the day, many educational institutions across India organise events to create and raise awareness about protecting the trees, forests and environment at large. And during which they also pays tribute to the victims of Khejarli massacre and all of those people who died in protecting our forests and environment. 

Various competitions also across schools and colleges are held to ensure more and more children engage and become aware of the importance of conserving jungles. Ever since the pandemic has started all events have shifted to the virtual medium. So today events related to ge Day mostly happens through video-conferencing. 

On this day government and several other institutions also run various campaigns on internet especially through social media to connect more and more towards the movement. On this day planting more trees are also recommend by the authorities and many people also participates in many tree plantation events across the country. 

Most Searched FAQs on National Forest Martyrs Day: 

1. When is National Forest Martyrs Day is celebrated? 

National Forest Martyrs Day is celebrated annually on 11th September in India. 

2. Why do we celebrate National Forest Martyrs Day? 

The day is observed to pay tributes to those who laid down their lives in order to protect the jungles, forests and wildlife across India. 

3. Which state has largest forest area in India? 

Madhya Pradesh state has the largest forest area in India. 

Hello I am one of editors of merazone.com, our blogs are mostly event-blogging only so keep in update with us to know about all the important events

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