Bikaner, Feb. 4 -- The agitation to protect Khejri, Rajasthan's state tree, intensified in Bikaner on Tuesday as 363 seers and local residents launched an indefinite hunger strike, marking a significant escalation of the ongoing "Save Khejri-Save Nature" movement. The seers and other protesters sat on an indefinite fast near the Bishnoi Dharamshala, demanding an immediate halt to the felling of Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) and other trees until a tree protection law is enacted. Several devotees, accompanying the seers, also announced that they had given up food in solidarity. The hunger strike followed Monday's massive mahapadav, which had drawn tens of thousands of people to the Government Polytechnic College ground. After the day-long protest concluded, protesters gathered late into the night near the collectorate and resolved to continue the agitation under the guidance of the seers. Early Tuesday, the seers formally began an 'aamaran anshan' (indefinite fast), with the number of participants increasing steadily through the day. Seer Swami Sachchidanand said the agitation would continue until concrete assurances were given by the government. He said the protesters have placed two key demands: first, the state chief secretary should issue an immediate circular stating that since a tree protection law is under consideration, no Khejri or other trees should be felled for any project in Rajasthan; second, the government must clearly announce the date on which the bill will be introduced in the assembly. Once the date is declared, the hunger strike can be withdrawn, but the sit-in will continue, he said. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, in a post on X, said Khejri is not an ordinary tree but a sacred one. Supporting the movement, she said: "Rising above politics, we must come forward for its protection. We must save it. I am with everyone in the campaign to save the Khejri and the Orans (grazing lands)." Congress national general secretary Sachin Pilot also expressed support, saying that local residents had been complaining to the administration for months, but the lack of concrete action had worsened the situation. He said the demands of the people were fully justified, noting that Khejri trees play a crucial role in preventing desertification, maintaining groundwater levels and providing fodder for livestock. He urged the government to take immediate and effective steps to stop indiscriminate tree felling....