A Unique Movement

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…