Tree felling for solar projects sparks Raj protest

THE large-scale cutting of Khejri trees in western Rajasthan has turned a growing concern into a loud public movement.

- RAJESH ASNANI @ Jaipur

On Monday, Bikaner witnessed a major protest called by environmental activists, bringing together villagers, traders, students, and political leaders under the open desert sky.

Khejri, known as the king of the desert, is more than a tree for the people of Rajasthan. It survives harsh droughts, feeds cattle, provides firewood and food, and keeps the fragile Thar ecosystem alive. For generations it has stood as a symbol of balance between people and nature. Activists allege that solar power companies are destroying this balance. According to them, thousands of Khejri trees are being cut to clear land for new projects in Bikaner and nearby districts. They claim many trees are felled at night and buried underground to avoid official scrutiny.