Chipko Movement

Chipko movement was a non-violent agitation in 1973 that was aimed at protection and conservation of trees, but, perhaps, 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.

1. FOREST- CHIPKO MOVEMENT

2. WHAT IS CHIPKO MOVEMENT? In 1970s, an organized resistance to the destruction of forests spread throughout the India and came to known as Chipko movement. The word “Chipko” refers “to stick” or “to hug”. The name of the movement comes from a word meaning “embrace”: where the villagers hug the trees, saving them by interposing their bodies between them and the contractors axes. The Chipko Movement was started in the village of mandal in Alakananda valley of Uttarakhand.

3. INTRODUCTION It is forest conservation movement. It created a precedent for non-violent protest started in India. It inspired many eco-groups by slowing down rapid deforestation. It stirred up the civil society in India to address the issue of tribal people. It is seen as a eco feminism movement. The main objective of this movement was to ensure an ecological balance. This movement was started in response to the needs of the people of Uttarakhand.

4. WHY CHIPKO MOVEMENT? The forests for India are the critical resource for the livelihood for rural people. These forests have been increasingly felled for industrial and commercial purpose. If Himalayas are not saved in India then the entire country will turn into desert area. Soil erosion and land slides. The Chipko movement was started to prevent the cutting of trees. It aimed at protection and conservation of trees.

5. HISTORY OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT Chipko movement was a daring act of non violence. It was carried out all over India in order to save the trees of the forest from being cut down. It was originated in Rajasthan in 1730AD. Bishnoi community living around the forest protested against the king’s wishes to cut down forest trees. Women & men hugged the trees to prevent the king's men from felling down the trees. Many people lost their lives during protest.

6. RISE OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT On March 26,1974 in the absence of men of Reni village & DGSS workers, lumber Laborers arrived by truckload to start logging operation. Gaura Devi along with 27 of village women confronted the loggers. Loggers threatened them. Women held bravely & hugged the trees. Next day the movement spread to the neighboring villages. Eventually only after few hours Stand-off the contractors left.

7. CAUSES OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT In Uttarakhand during 20th century, large scale deforestation brought a lot of hardships to people. Problems arose due to inefficient polices and laws. Lack of environmental & ecological awareness in the society. People gave up on keeping large livestock. Cause of malnutrition among people. Heavy effect on ecological balance of the region. Scarcity of drinking water and land region.

8. BIRTH OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT under the leadership of Chandi Prasad Bhatt people formed Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sang(DGSS) a local workshop to build farm tools from forest resources. The government & forest department ignored request of DGSS. On 24 April, 1973 about hundred of villagers &DGSS supporters stopped lumber contractors. Sunderlal Bahuguna was the one who raised his voice and appealed to Indira Gandhi. Beating drums & shouting slogans.

9. FOUNDER OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT Sunder Lal Bahuguna is a Environmentalist. He is also a motivator who spent his life acknowledging village people to protest for themselves. Enlightened the country and out world about the movement, its success and environmental impact. His famous quote "Ecology is permanent economy." Padma Bhushan winner for his contribution in the movement.

10. SPREAD OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT Women were the backbone of the Chipko Movement. The movement also caught fire in Bihar, Uttarpradesh , Himachalpradesh , Rajasthan, Karnataka

11. CONFLICT Collective mobilization of women for the cause of preserving forests has brought about a situation of conflict regarding their own status in society. Women have demanded to share in decision making process along with men, hence there has been opposition by men to women’s involvement in the Chipko movement. Lastly, women on the one hand kept seeking alterations in their position in society and on the other supporting a social movement that is resisting change.

12. WOMEN LEADERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CHIPKO MOVEMENT Amrita Devi: She sacrificed her life along with four daughters in year 1730 to save green trees being felled by the maharaja of jodhpur. Sarala Behn: She played a key role in the evolution of Chipko movement and influenced a number of environmentalists in India. Sudesha Devi: She and along with many village women were the first to save trees by hugging them. Mira Behn: She was a British woman who left her home in Britain to live and protest in Chipko moment.

13. SUCCESS The movement has spread to many states in the country. Ban on cutting the trees for the 15years in the forests of uttar Pradesh in 1980. More than 1,00,000 trees have been saved from excavation. Started protecting forest slopes and Restoring bare ones. New methods of forest farming have been developed, both to protect the forest and create new employment. Generated pressure for formulation of a natural resource policy. By 1981, over a million trees had been planted through their efforts. Villagers paid special attention in care of the trees and forest trees are being used judiciously.

14. SLOGANS: “Embrace the trees and Save them from being felled; The wealth of our hills, Save them from being looted.” -Ghanasyam Raturi “Our movement goes beyond the erosion of the land, to the erosion of human values. The center of all this is humankind. If we are not in a good relationship with the environment, the environment will be destroyed, and we will lose our ground. But if you halt the erosion of humankind, humankind will halt the erosion of the soil.” -Chandi Prasad bhatt  “Let them know we will not allow the felling of a single tree. When their men raise their axes, we will embrace the trees to protect them.” -Chandi Prasad Bhatt

15. THANK YOU PRESENTED BY: K.THANUJA