India, Feb. 6 -- Martin Goodman's My Head for a Tree opens with the story of an 18th century massacre in which as many as 363 Bishnois were beheaded as they tried to protect trees that men who worked for the king, Abhay Singh, wanted to cut down. More Bishnois were in queue to be beheaded but the news reached the palace and the killing was stopped. Such a story has never been told, and it is unlikely to be repeated. It remains the bravest act of nature conservation ever. The martyrs of Khejarli village in western Rajasthan, all Bishnois, laid down their lives while chanting "My head for a tree". They were led by a woman named Amrita Devi, who stood for the community's commitment to live in harmony with nature.

Who are the Bishnois? What ...