The tree is worshipped as the earth’s mother in tribal India. It provides food, air, occupation, materials for housing, fodder for animals, and fuel. Without the trees, there is neither soil nor water. There is nothing to prevent the soil from being washed away; there is nothing to prevent the water from evaporating. In the great tribal regions of India, which are home to the Bhils, the Santhals, the Nagas, the Bishnois, whenever a child is born, a tree is planted in the child’s name. It forges a relationship between the child and the tree which is closer than the one between child and family. Naturally so, because that tree is especially the child’s own. The trees are all slow-growing. By the time the child reaches adolescence, his tree has just come to fruition. It starts its life as a provider to the tribal child and the tribal is the guardian of the tree for life. Nearly three hundred years ago in 1730, men and women of the Bishnoi tribe died in an attempt to stop the felling of trees.
In September 1730, a royal party led by Giridhar Bhandari, a minister of the Maharaja of Marwar, arrived at the village to fell some Kheri trees, that were sacred to the villagers. The trees were to be burnt to produce lime for the construction of a new palace. A local woman, Amrita Devi protested against the tree felling because such ads were prohibited by the Bishnoi religion. She and her three daughters sacrificed their lives in an attempt to save the trees. Following the example, many other villagers hugged the trees that were to be cut and got killed This event became to be the forebearer of the 'Chipko Movement initiated in the 20th century.
Bishnoi faith prohibits the cutting of green trees It demands absolute protection of the Khen, the shade, and fodder tree of the area As a result, their lands are fertile, while all around them the fields have been claimed by the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.
1. Name any two things provided by trees.
a. Food and air are two things provided by trees.
b. Water and food are two things provided by trees.
c. Air and fire are two things provided by trees.
d. Food and light are two things provided by trees.
2. Fill in the blanks :
Without the trees, there is neither____nor______.
a. air, water
b. soil, water
c. air, soil
d. humus
3. In 1730, men and women of the_____tribe died in an attempt to stop the felling of the trees.
a. Bishnoi
b. Bhils
c. Nagas
d. Santhan
4. Name two tribes of India.
a. Tripura Tribe, Tanchangya Tribe.
b. Muhajirs, Balochis
c. Bhils, Nagas
d. Kuki, Konyak
5. Choose the correct option :
Bhils, Nagas and Santhals are which regions of India?
a. Bhils, Nagas and Santhals are Terrai regions of India.
b. Bhils, Nagas and Santhals are Tribal regions of India.
c. Bhils, Nagas and Santhals are Plain regions of India.
d. Bhils, Nagas and Santhals are Jrban regions of India.
6. When was 'Chipko Movement' initiated?
a. The Chipko movement was initiated in the 17th Century
b. The Chipko movement was initiated in the 18th Century
c. The Chipko movement was initiated in the 21st Century
d. The Chipko movement was initiated in the 20th Century
7. Choose the correct option :
Girdhar Bhandari was a minister of the Maharaja of _______.
a. Marwar
b. Gujrat
c. Balrampur
d. Jaisalmer
8. Choose the correct option :
A local woman _______ protested against the tree felling :
a. Sudha devi
b. Amrita Devi
c. Sharda Devi
d. Puspa Devi
9. State true or false :
The tree is worshipped as the earth’s mother in tribal India.
a. True
b. False
10. State true or false :
A local woman, Sharda Devi protested against the tree felling.
a. True
b. False
