GS 3 > Environment and Ecology > Environmental movements
REFERENCE NEWS:
The Chipko movement recently marked its 50th anniversary.
CHIPKO MOVEMENT
The Chipko movement, a significant ecological and social campaign, began in 1973 in Chamoli district, Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand), aimed at protecting forests and preserving the ecological balance. The movement is named "Chipko," which means "to embrace," as villagers hugged trees to shield them from being cut down.
Roots in Earlier Movements:
The Chipko movement traces its origins back to an 18th-century event involving Rajasthan’s Bishnoi community. Led by Amrita Devi, this community resisted deforestation by sacrificing their lives to protect trees from being cut on orders from the King of Jodhpur. After this incident, the king issued a royal decree banning the cutting of trees in all Bishnoi villages. This historical act of defiance has been honoured and remembered through successive generations, emphasizing the long-standing tradition of environmental activism in India.
The Modern Movement’s Catalyst:
The trigger for the modern Chipko movement was the growth in development that Uttar Pradesh witnessed following the 1963 China border conflict. The need for infrastructural development attracted many foreign logging companies, who were eyeing the state’s vast forest resources. In 1970, widespread floods inundated the area and was attributed to the mismanagement due to commercial logging.
Government Policies and Local Response:
The movement was partly incited by government policies that restricted local farmers and herders from using forest resources for fuel wood, fodder, and other needs, while allowing commercial entities like a sports manufacturing company to fell trees. This double standard led to the first Chipko movement near the village of Mandal in 1973, organized by environmentalist and Gandhian social activist Chandi Prasad Bhatt, founder of the cooperative organisation Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sangh.
Women's Role in Chipko:
The Chipko movement is also notable as an eco-feminist movement, where women played a central role. The degradation of forests disproportionately affected women, who were primarily responsible for agriculture, livestock, and family care. The frequent floods and landslides, worsened by deforestation, severely impacted their lives and livelihoods.
ECOFEMINISM:
Ecofeminism is defined as a movement that examines how patriarchal systems exploit both women and nature. It posits that the capitalist drive for profit contributes significantly to this dual exploitation, perpetuating environmental degradation and gender inequality. This ideology suggests that the liberation of women and the healing of nature are interconnected challenges that must be addressed together to achieve effective social and ecological justice.
Sunderlal Bahuguna’s leadership:
The Chipko Movement gained traction under Sunderlal Bahuguna, who spent his life persuading and educating the villagers to protest against the destruction of the forests and Himalayan mountains. Sunderlal Bahuguna’s efforts culminated in then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's decision to ban tree cutting in the affected areas. Bahuguna’s philosophy that "ecology is the permanent economy" helped to change the narrative around development and conservation in India.
OTHER MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS IN INDIA:
Name of Movement
Year
Region/State
Prominent Leaders
Brief Description
Bishnoi Movement
1700s
Marwar, Rajasthan
Amrita Devi
Early conservation movement where the Bishnoi community members sacrifice their lives to protect Khejri trees from being cut down. This is a foundational story in Indian environmental activism.
Silent Valley Movement
1978
Kerala
Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP), Sughathakumari
Campaign to protect a biodiversity hotspot from a hydroelectric project, emphasizing ecological and species conservation.
Save Western Ghats Movement
1980s
Western Ghats
Environmentalists and Scientists
An ecological movement aiming to protect the Western Ghats from unsustainable development and deforestation.
Jungle Bachao Andolan
1980s
Singhbhum,Bihar (now Jharkhand)
Tribal communities of Singhbhum
Protest against the conversion of natural forests into commercial plantations, impacting indigenous rights and livelihoods.
Appiko Movement
1983
Uttara Kannada, Karnataka
Pandurang Hegde
Modeled after the Chipko movement, aimed at protecting forests and local ecology through grassroots advocacy and direct action.
Narmada Bachao Andolan
1985
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
Medha Patkar, Baba Amte
Protest against large dam projects on the Narmada River, focusing on displacement, environmental issues, and human rights.
Navdanya Movement
1987
Nationwide
Vandana Shiva
Advocacy for biodiversity preservation, organic farming, and farmer's rights against genetic modification and seed patents.
Tehri Dam Conflict
1990s
Uttarakhand
Sunderlal Bahuguna, Virendra Dutt Saklani
Opposition to a large dam due to environmental concerns and displacement of local communities.
Niyamgiri Movement
2000s
Odisha
Dongria Kondh tribal community
Resistance against bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri Hills to protect tribal lands and environmental integrity.
MULTIFACETED IMPACTS OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT:
Influence on Environmental Movements Globally:
The Chipko movement became a symbol of non-violent environmental activism, with images of women hugging trees to protect forests. Its methods have inspired global movements advocating for sustainable practices and against deforestation.
Emergence and Impact of Eco-Feminism:
Eco-feminism in India was significantly galvanized by the Chipko movement. By placing women at the forefront of the activism, it highlighted the critical role women play in ecological sustainability.
The movement not only showcased women as key stakeholders in environmental conservation but also as leaders in the struggle for ecological justice, reshaping societal views on gender roles in environmental stewardship.
Government Policies and Legislation:
The impact of the Chipko movement on government policy is profound. It led to the amendment of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the introduction of the Forest Conservation Act in 1980. This new act restricted the use of forest land for non-forest purposes and placed a ban on commercial green felling above 1,000 meters.
These changes marked a significant shift in governmental attitude from exploitation of forest resources to conservation and sustainable use.
Change in Perception Towards Forests and Environment:
The Chipko movement helped transform the local and national perception of forests. It underscored the idea that forests are not just resources to be exploited but vital ecosystems that contribute to ecological stability and support human well-being. This change is captured by the phrase "ecology is permanent economy," highlighting the long-term benefits of ecological sustainability over short-term economic gains.
Awareness and Education on Environmental Protection:
The movement significantly raised awareness about the importance of environmental protection. Through its dramatic and visual form of protest, it captured public imagination and media attention, thereby educating a wide audience about the dangers of deforestation and the importance of conservation.
Legacy and Continued Influence:
Decades after its peak, the Chipko movement's influence persists in the region and beyond. Continued efforts in afforestation, sustainable agriculture, and community-led forest management can be seen as extensions of the movement's initial objectives. It has also inspired continuous ecological activism, including movements like the Appiko Movement in Karnataka, which was directly inspired by Chipko’s methods and goals.
Economic Implications:
Despite its successes in conservation, the movement did not fully achieve its goal of economic self-sufficiency for rural villages. Many areas still struggle with poverty and continue to rely on external economic aids. However, efforts to promote local economies through sustainable practices, like those initiated by the Chipko movement, are ongoing.
Cultural and Social Dynamics:
The movement also had significant social impacts, particularly in terms of women's empowerment and community cohesion.
CONCLUSION:
Fifty years after its inception, the Chipko movement remains a beacon of grassroots environmental activism. Its legacy, emphasizing sustainable practices and community stewardship of natural resources, resonates strongly in today’s urgent battles against climate change and environmental degradation.
The movement's eco-feminist aspect has broadened the recognition of the crucial role women play in environmental conservation, providing valuable lessons for integrating gender equality with ecological efforts.
Moreover, the Chipko philosophy, particularly the phrase "ecology is permanent economy" coined by Sunderlal Bahuguna, underscores the importance of balancing development with conservation, influencing both policy and public perception towards prioritizing long-term ecological sustainability over short-term economic gains.
PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. Discuss the long-term impacts of the Chipko Movement on environmental policy and activism with examples? (10 marks, 150 words)
