Jaipur, Feb 13 (NationPress) In response to 11 days of relentless protests and escalating public demands, the Rajasthan government has declared a ban on the cutting of Khejri trees across the state. Additionally, officials have committed to introducing a thorough Tree Protection Law during the current Budget Session.

Following this announcement, the Save Environment Mahapadav protest at the Bikaner District Collectorate was called off late Thursday night.

A team including Minister of State K.K. Bishnoi, BJP State Vice President Biharilal Bishnoi, Phalodi MLA Pachchharam Vishnoi, and Animal Welfare Board Chairman Jaswant Singh Bishnoi arrived in Bikaner on Thursday night to present the official directive issued by Revenue Department Secretary Dr. Jogaram.

This directive instructs all District Collectors to strictly enforce the ban on the felling of Khejri trees until the new legislation takes effect.

Swami Sachchidanand, the protest leader, announced around 11 p.m. that the agitation was being suspended, expressing satisfaction with the government's decision but cautioning that the movement would resume if the law failed to address public concerns adequately.

The announcement was met with cheers and celebratory slogans at the protest site. Several spiritual and community leaders, including Parasram Bishnoi, Ramgopal Bishnoi, and Swami Bhagirath Shastri, spoke to the crowd.

BJP State Vice President Biharilal Bishnoi praised the government for honoring the long-standing fight for environmental protection and noted that strict measures were being enacted to halt the destruction of Khejri trees. He highlighted how the movement had revived the centuries-old message of environmental stewardship championed by Amrita Devi Bishnoi. He also acknowledged the participation of saints, women, youth, and the elderly in the hunger strike, which pressured the government to act.

The saint community emphasized that the protest is merely on hold and not concluded. If the forthcoming Tree Protection Law is insufficient or fails to protect Khejri trees adequately, they plan to escalate their actions.

Previously, BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore raised awareness about the conservation of desert vegetation in the Rajya Sabha, stressing the importance of protecting native species like Khejri, Neem, Rohida, and Peepal.

He also advocated for the gradual removal of invasive Juliflora, which he claimed is harming biodiversity, grazing lands, and groundwater levels in arid areas.

Rathore called for conservation initiatives through schools, local governments, NGOs, and government programs, emphasizing the critical role of indigenous desert flora in maintaining the delicate ecosystem of Rajasthan.