Discuss the role of women and communities in the conservation and protection of forests.

(N/A) $(i)$ In $1731$,the King of Jodhpur ordered his men to cut down trees in a forest near a village inhabited by the $Bishnoi$ community to obtain wood for building his palace. $A$ woman named $Amrita$ $Devi$ stood up to protect the trees by hugging them. The King's men killed $Amrita$ $Devi$,her three daughters,and many others. This is a historic example of sacrifice for environmental protection. The Government of India has instituted the $Amrita$ $Devi$ $Bishnoi$ $Wildlife$ $Protection$ $Award$ in her honor.
$(ii)$ In $1974$,the $Chipko$ $Movement$ was initiated by local women in the $Garhwal$ region of the Himalayas. These women bravely protected trees from being felled by contractors.
Recognizing the importance of local community participation,the Government of India introduced the concept of $Joint$ $Forest$ $Management$ $(JFM)$ in $1980$. This initiative facilitates the protection and management of forests through the active involvement of local communities.