Mass Sit-In Against Khejri Tree Felling in Bikaner Enters Fifth Day, Ignites Statewide Environmental Movement
The mahapadav, or mass sit-in protest, in Bikaner against the rampant felling of the khejri tree, Rajasthan's revered state tree, has now entered its fifth consecutive day this Friday. What began as a localized demonstration has rapidly transformed into a sweeping environmental uprising that is resonating powerfully across the western districts of the state.
Charged Atmosphere and Unified Demands at Protest Site
The protest ground in Bikaner is pulsating with a charged and resolute mood, as women, children, farmers, and elders sit shoulder to shoulder in a powerful display of unity. Participants are holding banners and placards that demand an immediate and total ban on the cutting of khejri trees. The air is filled with impassioned slogans that invoke the survival of the desert and the future of coming generations, creating a poignant backdrop to the sustained agitation.
Statewide Call for Solidarity and Escalation of Pressure
In a strategic move to amplify their impact, protesters have issued a statewide call for solidarity. They are urging citizens across Rajasthan to either join them directly in Bikaner or organize simultaneous mass sit-ins in their own districts. This coordinated effort is designed to significantly escalate pressure on the state government, compelling it to address the growing environmental crisis.
Widespread Impact Across the Desert Belt
Activists emphasize that this issue is not confined to Bikaner alone but concerns the entire desert belt of Rajasthan. This includes key districts such as:
- Jaisalmer
- Barmer
- Jodhpur
- Pali
- Jalore
- Phalodi
- Sriganganagar
- Churu
Protesters have leveled serious allegations, claiming that thousands of khejri trees have been felled in recent years, primarily to make way for large-scale infrastructure and solar power projects.
Demand for Legal Protection and Government Accountability
Parasram Bishnoi, the founder of the Khejri Bachao Andolan, has made it clear that the agitation will continue unabated until the state government enacts a specific law that makes the cutting of khejri trees a punishable offence. "Large tracts of precious desert land are being indiscriminately handed over to solar parks, which is systematically destroying the local ecosystem. Without robust legal protection, the very survival of our desert is at grave risk," Bishnoi stated emphatically.
He further noted that public participation in the protest is swelling daily and asserted that the onus now squarely lies on the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, to take decisive action. Bishnoi also alleged that khejri trees have been uprooted across vast desert areas not only in the name of renewable energy projects but also by an illegal wood mafia, operating with minimal effective oversight.
Ecological and Social Significance of the Khejri Tree
Bhanwar Singh Bhati, a former Congress minister, highlighted the profound ecological and social role of the khejri tree, describing it as the "lifeline of the desert." He detailed its crucial functions, which include:
- Soil conservation and prevention of desertification
- Groundwater retention and recharge
- Sustenance for livestock through fodder
- Support for local biodiversity
- Foundation for rural livelihoods and traditional economies
Allegations of Concealment and Local Impacts
Ravindra Bhati, an Independent MLA from Sheo who has been raising this issue for over a year, made a startling allegation. He claimed that solar companies have been burying felled khejri trees to conceal the large-scale destruction they have caused. Local residents corroborate these concerns, reporting that the loss of khejri trees has already begun to negatively impact:
- Fodder availability for animals
- Groundwater retention capabilities
- Traditional livelihoods, particularly for pastoral and farming communities
This environmental protest in Bikaner, now in its fifth day, stands as a testament to the growing public resolve to protect Rajasthan's natural heritage, with the khejri tree becoming a powerful symbol of resistance against unchecked industrial expansion.
