The first eco-warriors: A faith built on 29 principles of conservation

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the Western Thar Desert, a community practices a faith where environmental protection is a divine mandate. The Bishnoi people do not just protect nature; they live by a strict code of 29 principles that prioritize biodiversity, animal welfare, and personal purity as spiritual requirements.

Founded in 1485 by Guru Jambheshwar (also known as Jambhoji), the Bishnoi panth is a Hindu Vaishnava community that integrates social ethics with radical environmentalism. The name 'Bishnoi' itself is a numerical reference to their core tenets: 'bis' meaning twenty and 'noi' meaning nine, totaling the 29 Niyamas. These principles are codified in the Shabadwani, a collection of 120 shabads written in the Nagri script. While the community is primarily composed of the Jat caste, it also includes members from the Bania, Rajput, Khati, and Gaena communities.

The 29 Niyamas are categorized into specific spheres of life. Ten focus on personal hygiene and health, seven on social behavior, and four on the worship of God. However, eight specific tenets are dedicated to biodiversity and animal husbandry. These include a strict prohibition on killing animals, a ban on cutting green trees, and a mandate to provide shelter for abandoned animals to prevent them from being slaughtered in abattoirs. This proactive approach to ecological balance earned them the title of 'eco-warriors.' Even their clothing is tied to conservation; they avoid blue attire because the dye is traditionally extracted from large quantities of shrubs.

The community's geography is defined by sacred sites called Sathri or Dhām, which are places 'purified by the feet' of Guru Jambheshwar. The most significant site is Muktidham Mukam in the Bikaner district, where Jambhoji’s last rites were performed and where his body is believed to still rest under a sacred Khejri tree. Other vital sites include Peepasar, his birthplace, and Samrathal Dhora, the site of the sect's origin where he delivered his primary sermons. For the Bishnoi, these locations are not just historical markers but active centers of a faith that views the preservation of all life forms as a path to ultimate freedom and truth.

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