CHIPKO MOVEMENT
The Chipko Movement was a historic environmental movement in India that showed the world how ordinary people could protect nature through peaceful action. The word “Chipko” comes from the Hindi word meaning “to hug” or “to cling”, symbolising the act of villagers hugging trees to prevent them from being cut down. What began in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh) in the 1970s grew into a powerful message of environmental conservation and people’s participation.
Background of the Movement
During the 1960s and early 1970s, large-scale commercial logging was carried out in the forests of the Himalayan region. While contractors and industries benefited from this deforestation, local villagers—especially farmers and women—suffered the consequences. Forests that provided fuel, fodder, food, and protection from floods and landslides were disappearing rapidly.
Repeated floods, soil erosion, and scarcity of basic resources made people realise that forest destruction was directly affecting their lives. When the government granted permission to a sports goods company to cut trees in the forests near villages, the locals decided to act.
How the Chipko Movement Began
The movement is believed to have begun in 1973 in Mandal village (present-day Uttarakhand). When loggers arrived to cut trees, villagers—led largely by women—embraced the trees and formed a human shield, refusing to move. Their peaceful resistance forced the contractors to retreat.
One of the most iconic moments came in 1974 in Reni village, where women led by Gaura Devi confronted the loggers. With courage and determination, they protected the forest by hugging the trees, declaring that the forest was like a mother to them.
Key Leaders and Contributors
Several individuals played important roles in spreading and strengthening the movement:
Sunderlal Bahuguna – An environmentalist who took the message of Chipko across India and beyond through padayatras (foot marches).
Chandi Prasad Bhatt – A Gandhian activist who helped organise local communities and emphasised sustainable use of forest resources.
Gaura Devi – A village woman whose leadership highlighted the crucial role of women in environmental protection.
Role of Women in the Chipko Movement
Women were at the heart of the Chipko Movement. Since they were the primary collectors of fuelwood, fodder, and water, they felt the impact of deforestation most strongly. Their participation showed that environmental protection is closely linked to everyday survival and social justice. The movement also became an early example of eco-feminism, highlighting the connection between women and nature.
Impact and Significance
● The Chipko Movement had far-reaching effects:
● It led to a 15-year ban on green felling in the Himalayan forests announced by the government in 1980.
● It brought environmental issues into national discussion.
● It inspired future movements focused on sustainable development and conservation.
● It showed the power of non-violent protest, echoing Gandhian principles.
Did You Know?
● The Chipko Movement is often called India’s first major environmental movement.
● Similar movements inspired by Chipko later emerged, such as the Appiko Movement in Karnataka.
● The movement emphasised that forests are not just sources of timber but life-support systems for communities.
Conclusion
The Chipko Movement stands as a powerful reminder that protecting nature is a collective responsibility. Through peaceful resistance, courage, and unity, ordinary villagers proved that development should never come at the cost of the environment. Even today, as the world faces climate change and ecological crises, the spirit of Chipko continues to inspire people to stand up for the planet—sometimes by simply holding on to what truly matters.
