The Story of Amrita and the Khejadli Village

The story of Amrita, a girl from Khejadli village in Rajasthan, highlights the deep connection between the villagers and their environment. Amrita and her community cherished the Khejadli trees, which were vital to their ecosystem. When the king's men arrived to cut the trees for palace construction, Amrita and the villagers resisted, sacrificing their lives to protect the trees. This act of bravery led the king to decree the protection of trees and animals in the area. Today, the Bishnois continue this legacy, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation.

What is the primary characteristic of the Khejadli tree that allows it to thrive in desert areas?

• It can grow without much water.

• It requires a lot of water.

• It grows only in forests.

• It needs constant sunlight.

What did the villagers of Khejadli believe about trees and animals?

• They should be worshipped and protected.

• They are dangerous.

• They are useless.

• They should be cut down for resources.

What did Amrita do every morning with the trees?

• She ignored them.

• She cut their branches.

• She hugged them and whispered to them.

• She watered them.

Why did the king's men come to the village?

• To build a school.

• To cut the trees for wood.

• To celebrate a festival.

• To plant more trees.

How did Amrita react when the men tried to cut the trees?

• She hugged the tree tightly.

• She ran away.

• She called the police.

• She ignored them.

What was the outcome of the villagers' protest against cutting the trees?

• The trees were cut down.

• The king's men left without cutting the trees.

• Many villagers, including Amrita, died.

• The villagers gave up.

What did Amrita and the villagers' actions demonstrate about their values?

• They valued money over nature.

• They prioritized development over conservation.

• They were indifferent to the environment.

• They had a deep respect for nature.

What did the king do after learning about the villagers' sacrifice?

• He ordered more trees to be cut.

• He ignored the incident.

• He punished the villagers.

• He decreed that no tree would be cut and no animal harmed.

What is the legacy of the Bishnois in the Khejadli area today?

• They have moved to the city.

• They have cut down all the trees.

• They continue to protect plants and animals.

• They have abandoned the area.

What lesson can we learn from the story of Amrita and the villagers?

• To cut down trees for development.

• To prioritize human needs over nature.

• To safeguard our environment as much as possible.

• To ignore environmental issues.