As the spectre of ecological degradation and climate change looms large before mankind, the pioneering environmental protest movement started in the name of Chipko (to hug or cling) 50 years ago has become of more relevance today.
One of the strongest movements to conserve forests was launched in March 1973 in the Himalayan region of the present Uttarakhand state by veteran environmental activists such as Sunderlal Bahuguna, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, Shamsher Singh Bisht, Gaura Devi, Sudesha Devi, Bachni Devi, Govind Singh Rawat, Dhoom Singh Negi, Ghanshyam Raturi etc.
The Gandhian activist, Shri Sundarlal Bahuguna gave this movement a voice and proper direction. He coined the slogan, "Ecology is the permanent economy." Unfortunately, Mr Bahuguna, 94, died of Covid-19 in Rishikesh on May 21, 2021.
As a part of the Movement, the activists organised themselves under several smaller groups and resorted to chipko or tree-hugging, by adopting the path of non-violence, against indiscriminate felling of trees and exploitation of forests by the government-backed timber merchants and big mining companies.
The activists used the tactic of embracing trees to impede loggers. They showed how the environment was a matter of life and death for them.
The slogan of the Chipko Movement was:
"क्या हैं जंगल के उपकार, मिट्टी, पानी और बयार,
मिट्टी, पानी और बयार, जिंदा रहने के आधार!"
("The blessings of the forest are
soil, water and air,
soil, water and air form the basis of survival!")
The first victorious moment of the Movement came in 1980, when the then Government of India headed by Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi ordered a complete ban on tree felling in the Himalayan region for 15 years till the forest cover was fully restored.
The Chipko Movement has played a very important role for forest and environment protection in India and has left behind a rich legacy that inspired a similar agitation in Karnataka to prevent tree felling in the Western Ghats.
The Movement became a landmark for socio-ecological movements in other forest areas and inspired other environmentalists for subsequent protests against rampant commercialisation, and to take up projects for water management, soil conservation, energy conservation, afforestation, recycling etc.
The Chipko stalwarts had recognised 50 years ago the disastrous consequences of loss of forest cover in the hill state of Uttarakhand that has recently seen cases of land subsidence in areas like Joshimath, a proof of the continued impact of environmental neglect.
This is because the bold steps taken by the Chipko activists could not prevent the unfettered exploitation of natural resources by greedy and uncaring corporates in subsequent days in certain pockets. The need of the hour is to hug the concept of the Chipko Movement from time to time to keep it relevant and effective.
It is now upto the younger generation to take up this good cause of protecting the delicate ecosystem further to save themselves and future generations, and to enjoy the beauty and music of plants and trees.
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--Kaushal Kishore
images: pinterest
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