300 years ago, the Maharaja of Jodhpur decided to build a grand palace, requiring large quantities of khejri wood. Near Jodhpur, there was a vast forest of khejri trees in a place called Khejarli, and the king ordered his men to cut them down. But when the soldiers arrived, they were met by hundreds of Bishnoi men and women surrounding the trees, led by Amrita Devi Beniwal. The Bishnoi community, followers of Guru Jambeshwar, live by 29 principles—one of which is the protection of nature and tre