Our Indian beds, the Kandahar, Khyber and Shalimar, are made by a Bishnoi family in Rajasthan. The Bishnoi are famous for their wildlife conservation – in the 16th century they surrounded sacred trees in their forest to prevent a Maharaja felling them to build a new palace. About 300 Bishnoi were killed before the Maharaja, intrigued by their beliefs, stopped the felling.

Wild trees in the forest are still protected but the Bishnoi also grow separate plantation timber for buildings and furniture. They have planted thorn bushes which have a had a marked effect at reducing the encroachment of the Thar desert. They stop hunters from killing animals on their lands and it's not unusual to see deer and rabbits wandering fearlessly around their villages.

There are about 6 million Bishnoi across India including a large community, and the family we know, who live near Jodhpur. This family set aside part of their profits for their Indus Charity and Environment Concern fund which supports education and health projects for local children. They plant trees on the roadside and canal embankments –trees prvide life saving shade in the heat of the Rajasthan summer.