Radheshyam Bishnoi

Born in 1997 in Dholiya village near Pokhran, Rajasthan, Radheshyam was raised in the Bishnoi community—a sect founded in the 15th century by Guru Jambheshwar, who established 29 principles (bish: 20, noi: 9) for living in harmony with nature. Several of these principles are specifically dedicated to protecting trees and wildlife, forming the foundation of what is considered the world's first environmental religion.

The Bishnoi are renowned for their environmental stewardship, most famously demonstrated in 1730 when Amrita Devi Bishnoi and 363 others sacrificed their lives to protect khejri trees from being cut down by the Maharaja of Jodhpur's men. This historic event, known as the Khejarli Massacre, is considered one of the earliest recorded instances of environmental activism and inspired the modern Chipko movement.

Growing up in this tradition, Radheshyam was immersed in a culture that reveres all forms of life. The Bishnoi community's practices—such as burying their dead instead of cremating them to save trees, providing food and water for wildlife, and protecting animals from hunters—shaped his worldview from an early age.

As a teenager, Radheshyam began actively rescuing injured animals in the desert. His early efforts were driven by instinct and compassion rather than formal training. "I could only save a few of them," he later recalled, which motivated him to seek proper knowledge and techniques.

During this period, he developed a network of local herders and farmers who would alert him when they encountered injured wildlife. Using a borrowed motorcycle, he would travel to remote locations to provide basic first aid to animals in distress.

These early experiences highlighted the need for more systematic conservation efforts in the region. Radheshyam began documenting the types of injuries he encountered, noting patterns that pointed to specific threats facing desert wildlife—from vehicle collisions to poaching injuries and dehydration.

The pivotal moment in Radheshyam's conservation career came when he met wildlife biologist Sumit Dookia from the ERDS Foundation. Dookia was conducting field surveys for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), whose population had dwindled to fewer than 150 individuals globally, with the Thar Desert being one of their last remaining habitats.

According to Akanksha Mishra's article in The Print, "When he found out the critically endangered nature of GIBs, and how they were indigenous to his home in Pokhran, he instantly decided to work on it," said Sumit Dookia, wildlife biologist at the Ecology, Rural Development & Sustainability (ERDS) Foundation, which Radheshyam was also associated with.

Impressed by Radheshyam's knowledge of the local ecosystem and his dedication to wildlife, Dookia invited him to join the foundation's efforts to protect the GIB. This collaboration introduced Radheshyam to scientific conservation methodologies, including population monitoring, habitat assessment, and threat documentation.

Created and maintained over 100 water reservoirs across the Pokhran region, providing critical hydration for wildlife in the arid landscape. These water points were strategically placed along wildlife movement corridors and regularly refilled using his personal truck, even during border tensions.

As noted in Natasha Rego's article, "He also helped build over 100 watering holes across the Pokhran region, where chinkara and other wildlife can hydrate in the desert's punishing summer." Sumer Singh, a fellow conservationist, recalled how even during the India-Pakistan conflict, "When Jaisalmer was under a blackout and we were all scared, Bishnoi would go to the DNP every night in his truck, and refill water in the water holes he had dug for the wild animals in the summer."

Initiated over 50 anti-poaching cases resulting in approximately 300 arrests. Developed an extensive network of informants including herders and farmers across the Thar Desert, creating an early warning system for poaching activities that threatened endangered species.

According to Hamza Khan's article in The Indian Express, "He also played a pivotal role in anti-poaching initiatives, providing information that led to the arrest of poaching gangs, apart from being instrumental in registration of several FIRs."

Sumit Dookia noted that "Over the last two years, these Godawan Friends have given information on more than 10 poaching cases. These were of the spiny-tailed lizard, chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Indian fox, and of course, the chinkara."

Perhaps the most immediate threat to the Great Indian Bustard is collision with overhead power lines. Radheshyam documented multiple GIB deaths due to this cause and became a vocal advocate for underground power lines in critical GIB habitat.

According to Priti David's article, "Powerlines are killing not just bustards, but a staggering estimated 84,000 birds a year within a 4,200 square kilometre area in and around the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, says a 2018 study by the Wildlife Institute of India. 'Such high mortality rate [of the bustard] is unsustainable for the species and a sure cause of extinction.'"

The Great Indian Bustard is particularly vulnerable to power line collisions due to its biology. As Radheshyam explained, "The mighty bustard has eyes on the side of its head, and it cannot see dead ahead. So, it either hits the high-tension wire in a head-on collision or tries to swerve at the last minute. But like a trailer truck that can't take sharp turns, the GIB's sudden change of direction is often too late, and some part of its wing or head slams into the wires situated at heights of 30 metres and above."