Raksha Bandhan is one of the important Indian festivals, where we tie a rakhi to those who protect us. We usually see the festival as a celebration between brothers and sisters, but people in different regions have their own unique ways of celebrating it. One such tradition can be seen in Jharkhand, where tribal women tie rakhis to trees as a way of protecting nature. Read on to know more!
Tribal Women Tie Rakhi To Trees
In Jharkhand, tribal women have a unique way of celebrating Raksha Bandhan. They tie rakhis to trees as a symbol of their promise to protect them. According to ABP News, this tradition was followed again on August 27, 2026, and carries a strong message beyond the festival. By tying rakhis to trees, the women aim to protect forests and strengthen the emotional bond between people and nature.
Thousands of villagers from 700 villages will tie rakhis to around one lakh trees on Friday. The activity is part of the month-long “Save Trees” campaign. It aims to cover around 3 lakh trees across selected villages in all 24 districts of Jharkhand.
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Why Are Tribal Communities So Connected With Nature?
For many tribal communities, forests are much more than just trees. They are closely connected to their daily lives and livelihoods. Reshma Mardi, a local tribal woman, said they learnt from their ancestors to protect forests. She compared forests to parents and said tying rakhis to trees is their way of passing the message of protecting nature to the next generation.
This green Rakhi initiative is not new. ABP News reported that it was started back in 2004 in Lukaiya village, located in Dhanbad district’s Tundi block. The village was once affected by Maoism. Since then, the programme has grown across Jharkhand and connected more than 12,000 villages.
The initiative has also made a difference on the ground. In Lukaiya alone, it helped protect more than 20,000 Mahua trees. Today, these trees play an important role in supporting the livelihoods of local villagers.
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Also Read: Raksha Bandhan 2026: Instamart Sees 20X Surge In Premium Rakhis; Chocolates In High Demand
Cover Image Courtesy: X/ @HabitatHealer (Representative Image)
FAQs
Why people in Jharkhand tie rakhi to trees?
People in Jharkhand tie rakhi to trees to show their bond with nature and pledge to protect forests.
Why Tribal communities are connected to nature?
Tribal communities are deeply connected to nature because forests are closely linked to their daily lives, culture and livelihoods.
When did the tradition of tying rakhis to trees start?
The tradition began in 2004 in Lukaiya village in Dhanbad district’s Tundi block.
