Aakash Jain

Class X-B

A Revolutionary Environmental
Movement: Case Study on Chipko
Movement
A Case Study on Chipko Movement:
1. Origin and Background of the Movement
The environmental movement, including
conservation and green politics, is a diverse
scientific, social, and political movement for
addressing environmental issues. Environmentalists
advocate the sustainable management of resources
and stewardship of the environment through
changes in public policy and individual behavior.
The origins of the environmental movement lay in
the response to increasing levels of smoke pollution
in the atmosphere during the Industrial Revolution.

The environmental movement is an international

movement, represented by a range of organizations,
from the large to grassroots and varies from
country to country. Due to its large membership,
varying and strong beliefs, and occasionally
speculative nature, the environmental movement is
not always united in its goals. The movement also
encompasses some other movements with a more
specific focus, such as the climate movement. At its
broadest, the movement includes private citizens,
professionals, religious devotees, politicians,
scientists, nonprofit organizations and individual
advocates.

The Chipko Movement was a forest conservation

movement in India that began in 1973 and went on
to become a rallying point for many future
environmental movements all over the world. It
also created a precedent for starting of non-violent
protest in India. The movement was to inspire in
future many such eco-groups by helping to slow
down the rapid deforestation, increase ecological
awareness, and demonstrate the viability of people
power. Today, it is also being seen increasingly as
an ecofeminism movement.
The first Chipko protest occurred near the village
of Mandal in the upper Alaknanda valley in April
1973 by environmentalist and Gandhian social
activist Chandi Prasad Bhatt. The villagers were
outraged when the government allotted a much
larger plot to a sporting goods manufacturer. When
their appeals were denied, Chandi Prasad Bhatt led
villagers into the forest and embraced the trees to
prevent logging. After many days of those protests,
the government canceled the company’s logging
permit.

With the success in Mandal, Sunderlal Bahuguna, a
local environmentalist, began to share Chipko’s
tactics with people in other villages throughout the
region. One of the next major protests occurred in
1974 near the village of Reni, where more than
2,000 trees were scheduled to be felled. However,
they were met with the women of the village, led
by Gaura Devi, who refused to move out of the
forest and eventually forced the loggers to
withdraw. The action in Reni prompted the state
government to establish a committee to investigate
deforestation in the Alaknanda valley and
ultimately led to a 10-year ban on commercial
logging in the area.
The Chipko movement thus began to emerge as a
peasant and women’s movement for forest rights,
though the various protests were largely
decentralized and autonomous. The movement was
based on Gandhi’s concept of satyagraha
(nonviolent resistance). One of the highlights of
chipko movement is that women played a major
role in chipko movement.
2. Difference between Movement and Revolution
Revolt is the first sign of rebellion. It is started by a small
group dissatisfied by a social issue. It is usually short in
duration, sometimes violent and done to stand against
something. It normally does not have a long term vision.
The change affects the people concerned.
Revolution is the larger version of revolt directed at a
larger organization. It is a revolt involving larger group
of people with a goal to overthrow the governing body. It
has a clear mission in place and proper directives to
pursue it, mostly using violent measures. If successful,
the revolution brings a complete change in the governing
manner. It affects everyone involved with the
organisation.
Movement is a non-violent act by people in a wide range
to disperse and radicalise people on a certain issue. It is a
means to bring together people who share the same ideas
and goals, make it popular and gather support. It is a
passive way to bring about a change and reach a goal by
unity of like minded people.

3. Different types of Feminist Movements

Mainstream feminism
"Mainstream feminism" identifies feminist ideologies
and movements which do not fall into either the socialist
or radical feminist camps. The mainstream feminist
movement traditionally focused on political and legal
reform. Mainstream feminism was historically also
called "liberal feminism"
Anarchist
anarchist feminism combines anarchism with feminism.
It generally views patriarchy as a manifestation of
involuntary hierarchy. Anarcha-feminists believe that the
struggle against patriarchy is an essential part of class
struggle.
Cultural
Cultural feminism is the ideology of a "female nature". It
emphasizes the difference between women and men but
considers that difference to be psychological, and to be
culturally constructed rather than biologically created.

4. Objectives of the Chipko Movement and

Contributions of Different Organizations
Role of Various organizations
Several sections of the society contributed to the
chipko movement. Some key visionary leaders in the
initial years of Chipko movement were both male
and female activists played vital roles, including
Gaura Devi, Sudesha Devi, Bachni Devi and
Chandi Prasad Bhatt.
Several Governments also made a major role in the
success of chipko movement as it recognized the
protests and the larger cause of this movement and
changed the deforestation policy and took several
initiatives to promote environmental awareness.

1. Present Status
2. Chipko movement is a good example of sustainable
environmental movement as it made significant
impact on the society and other stakeholders.
3. The movement has spread to many states in the
country.
4. The chipko movement has helped in formulation of
national policy on environment.
5. There are several examples in the recent past that
are inspired by the chipko movement. Example: In
October 2017, around 3500 volunteers in aarey
colony in Mumbai got together to stop cutting of
trees.
6. The movement has also inspired other countries
towards the issues on environmental pollution.
7.
Bibliography

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipko_movement

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/sep/15/chipko-movement-
crusader-bali-devi-warns-of-more-kedarnath-like-tragedies-1657419.html

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/activists-begin-chipko-
movement-to-protect-3500-trees-in-aarey-colony/article19863256.ece

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/bhu-students-launch-
movement-to-save-trees/articleshow/61081422.cms