50 Years of Chipko Movement | 27 Apr 2024

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Recently, 50 years have been completed for the Chipko Movement, the landmark environmental movement that was started in Uttarakhand in 1973.

What was the Chipko Movement All About?

• Origin:
  • The movement started in the 1970s in Chamoli, Uttarakhand when the region was facing rampant deforestation due to commercial activities by outside contractors.
  • It started when the women from the Himalayan villages of Reni and Mandal hugged trees in the nearby forests to protect them from commercial loggers.
• About:
  • The name of the movement ‘chipko’ comes from the word ’embrace’, as the villagers hugged the trees and encircled them to prevent being hacked.
  • By hugging they gave a clear message that “We, our nature and us, are One”.
  • It was a non-violent agitation to protect nature.
  • Its biggest victory was making people aware of their rights to forests, and how grassroots activism can influence policy-making regarding ecology and shared natural resources.
    • It led to a ban on commercial felling of trees above 30 degrees slope and above 1,000 msl (mean sea level) in 1981.
• Key Figures and Leaders:
  • Chandi Prasad Bhatt: He was a Gandhian Social Activist and Environmentalist active during the early phase of the movement.
    • He founded an organisation called Dasholi Gram Swarajya Mandal (DGSM).
    • It played an instrumental role in shaping the movement and uniting villagers against unsustainable deforestation.
  • Sundarlal Bahuguna: He was inspired by the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence and socialism.
    • He played a crucial role in organising the local communities and spreading awareness about the importance of forests.
    • His efforts were instrumental in mobilising people.
  • Gaura Devi: She was a village woman who became an icon of resistance.
    • She led a group of women in the village of Reni to confront the loggers and physically embrace the trees, effectively preventing their cutting.
    • With that, Chipko became mainly a women led movement. This inspired women in the other parts of the country as well.
• Philosophy Behind the Movement:
  • Gandhian Philosophy of non-violence and living in harmony with nature.
  • Empowering the local communities and giving them a voice in decision-making processes regarding their natural resources.
  • It aimed to challenge the exploitative practices of outside contractors and promote a more inclusive and participatory approach to forest management.
• Impact:
  • It inspired similar movements in different parts of India, such as the Narmada Bachao Andolan, Appiko Movement (Karnataka) and the Silent Valley Movement.
  • Internationally, the Chipko Movement became a symbol of resistance against environmental destruction.
  • The movement also influenced policy changes in India, leading to stricter rules and regulations against illegal deforestation and the rights of the indigenous communities.
  • It is best remembered for the collective mobilisation of women for the cause of preserving forests, which also brought about a change in attitude regarding their own status in society.
• Relevance of Chipko Movement in 2024:
  • This movement continues to be a source of inspiration and a reminder of the power of collective action while tackling environmental challenges.
  • Its principles of sustainability, community participation, and nonviolent resistance remain relevant in the fight against climate change and the protection of our ecosystems.
  • It also serves as an inspiration for grassroots-level actions, participation of women and inclusion of local communities in the planning.

Read more: Gaura Devi as Part of International Women’s Day Celebrations