Bikaner, Feb. 3 -- Nearly 50,000 people in Bikaner, including traders' bodies, environmental groups and political leaders, staged a massive Mahapadav (indefinite sit-in) on Monday, demanding immediate protection for the Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), Rajasthan's state tree. United under the Save Khejri-Save Nature banner, the protest centres on alleged large-scale Khejri felling for solar power projects, especially in the Poogal region, site of Asia's largest solar hub. Independent MLA from Sheo, Ravindra Singh Bhati, recently stated that 2,600,000 trees were already lost to the projects and added that 5,000,000 more are at risk. Traders shut markets, schools closed early, and nearly 50,000 protesters, including leaders, saints, and women from neighbouring states, demanded tougher laws to protect the state tree, highlighting a rare mass mobilisation against environmental threats from Asia's largest solar hub in Poogal. The agitation began around noon at the city's Government Polytechnic College ground with a public meeting. Political leaders, saints, and social activists addressed the gathering, emphasising the tree's ecological, cultural, and spiritual importance. Participants then marched to the city centre, intensifying the action. Supported by trade organisations, markets across Bikaner shut since morning. Government and private schools in urban areas declared a half-day holiday, disrupting daily life. Prominent leaders joined the protest, including Shiv MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati, MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, former minister Bhanwar Singh Bhati, former minister Govindram Meghwal, and Nokha MLA Sushila Dudi. Saints and representatives from various communities attended in large numbers. Addressing the gathering, former MLA Mahendra Bishnoi called for urgent amendments to Khejri conservation laws. He said stricter provisions and harsher punishments were needed to deter violations. "There is a need to strengthen the law related to Khejri conservation," he said. Jeev Raksha Sabha president Mokhram Dharaniya accused the administration of yielding to pressure from solar companies, claiming even central government firms were felling trees. "People are on the streets because institutions meant to protect nature have failed," he said. Convener Ram Gopal Bishnoi said the movement stemmed from weeks of outreach across villages, towns, and remote hamlets. Saints, Sadhu community members, representatives of all 36 communities, sitting and former ministers, MLAs, and former MLAs took part. Organisers estimated nearly 50,000 attended the public meeting and sit-in. Emotionally charged slogans rang out as participants vowed to prevent further Khejri felling. Many warned that the agitation would intensify if the administration failed to act. Protesters urged the government to heed public pressure and halt tree cutting. Participants arrived from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. A significant number of women joined. Organisers arranged food for up to one lakh people at the Polytechnic College campus, underscoring the scale. The movement gained momentum after Bhati's recent Assembly remarks, claiming 2,600,000 trees were felled in western Rajasthan and warning of 5,000,000 more will be axed for upcoming solar projects. Heavy police machinery was deployed across sensitive areas to maintain order. Barricades rose near the Collectorate, and traffic was diverted. BJP leader and former MLA Bihari Lal Bishnoi assured deliberations were under way for a law protecting Khejri and other green trees. Protesters, however, remained sceptical, citing unfulfilled past promises. Organisers warned of escalation without immediate action....