The Bishnoi tribe of the western Indian state of Rajasthan have, over centuries, made a unique blend of ecological sense and religious sensibility their faith's cornerstone
Unique customs
Though worshipping the Hindu diety Vishnu, the Bishnois bury their dead. The idea is to give the body back to the elements.
Bishnoi carpenters never cut trees. They wait for trees to die on their own or fall down during storms.
Every Bishnoi family creates a tank in their field to provide water for animals in the arid summer months.
Even though much of their standing crop is eaten by deer herds, no Bishnoi ever chases a deer away.
Bishnois consider it a great pride to be able to die saving trees or animals.
Though propounders of
peace and non-violence, Bishnois can become extremely violent if any animal or tree is harmed in their area.
