Guda Vishnoi village, 25 km from Jodhpur, is all set to welcome nature lovers and bird watchers. Set in the Vishnoi land, this eco-tourism initiative of the Forest Department, will offer tourists an opportunity to have a close glimpse at blackbucks, chinkaras, other antelopes and several species of birds.

Moreover, the project will allow visitors to directly interact with the Vishnoi community — famous for their best environment practices. Vishnoi faith is immortalized in the words: Sir santhe runkh rahe to bhi sasta jaan (if you can protect a tree but lose your head in the process, it is still a cheap bargain). The non-descript village had hit the headlines way back in 1998 following Bollywood actor Salman Khan's blackbuck poaching case.

Due to its proximity to Jodhpur and natural environs, Guda Vishnoi has good potential for eco-tourism, feels district forest officer Aakansha Choudhury. She says the basic objective is to boost the region's unique eco-diversity, so well nurtured and protected by the Vishnoi community. There has been a bird watching tower at the Guda talab for long but the place lacked adequate facilities to attract tourist arrival. With funds of Rs. 28 lakh sanctioned by the State government last November, the Forest Department took the initiative of developing the place. New huts have been constructed, old ones renovated, a neat walking trail developed and the bird watching tower equipped with telescopes. In addition to the existing mound at the centre, additional mounds have been created to facilitate a better bird-watching view. Nearly 35 species of birds, including spoon bills, black ibis, flamingos and painted storks, can be spotted in the village.

Hitherto neglected kitchen and dining sheds have all been given a facelift and the huts and streets are lit up with solar power, Ms. Choudhury said. The objective is not to provide five-star comfort to tourists but a feel of rural tourism and close interaction with a community known for their exemplary love and sacrifice for nature, she added.

An eco-development committee has been set up to facilitate local participation as the local Vishnoi community is helping in all the construction and development work. The venture also hopes to bring livelihood opportunities to the Vishnois as 50 per cent of the total revenue earned will go to the eco-development committee. Plans are afoot to organise orientation courses for the community's youths so that they can work as tourist guides.

The walking trail is now dotted with signposts highlighting the Vishnoi community's conservation practices and traditions. It will give tourists an insight into the faith and religion of this community. Brochures have been circulated at Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation-run and other hotels and promotional sign posts have also been put up at the circuit house, railway station and the Jodhpur airport to attract tourist attention.

The Vishnoi community, also called Bishnoi, follows bees (twenty) and nau (nine) commandments laid down by their Guru Jambeshwarji in 1485. The most important one was a prohibition on felling green trees and killing animals — Jeev daya palni, runkh lila nahin ghave (be compassionate to all living beings and don't fell green trees). They are one of those few Hindu communities who bury their dead because funeral would mean axing of a tree. The community also holds black bucks sacred since their Guru is said to have told that he would be reborn as one. A memorial at Khejdali village, about six km from Guda Vishnoi, is a tribute to the memory of Amrita Devi and others who laid down their lives in 1730 while protecting trees. Legend has it that there was a crisis of fuel wood to make lime needed for renovation of the then Jodhpur Maharaja Abhay Singh's palace. So when his men came to fell trees, Amrita Devi reportedly hugged the Khejdi tree refusing to budge an inch. She was hacked to death prompting other men and women of her community to lay down their lives. By the time the king came to know of the incident, 363 Vishnois had sacrificed their lives. The Maharaja reportedly came running bare feet to the spot and thenceforth prohibited felling green trees in the area.