Chipkoo movement is related to which?
VerifiedAnswer: Environment
Explanation:
The Chipko movement is directly related to environmental conservation, particularly the protection of forests and trees. This grassroots environmental movement originated in the 1970s in the Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh) and became one of India's most significant ecological movements.
The word "Chipko" literally means "to hug" or "to cling" in Hindi. The movement got its name from the unique protest method where villagers, especially women, would physically embrace trees to prevent them from being cut down by contractors and loggers. This simple yet powerful act of hugging trees became the symbol of peaceful resistance against deforestation.
The movement began when local communities realized that commercial logging was destroying their forests, which were essential for their survival. These forests provided them with fuel, fodder, timber for agricultural tools, and other forest products. The indiscriminate cutting of trees was also leading to environmental problems like soil erosion, landslides, and reduced water availability in the region.
Key environmental concerns that the Chipko movement addressed include:
• Protection of forests from commercial exploitation • Prevention of soil erosion in hilly areas • Conservation of biodiversity in the Himalayan ecosystem • Maintaining the water cycle and preventing floods • Preserving the traditional rights of forest communities
The movement was led by prominent environmentalists like Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunderlal Bahuguna. Women played a crucial role in this movement, with leaders like Gaura Devi mobilizing entire villages to protect their forests. Their efforts brought global attention to the importance of community-based environmental conservation.
The success of the Chipko movement led to significant environmental policy changes in India. It resulted in a ban on tree cutting in the Himalayan regions above 1,000 meters altitude for 15 years. The movement also inspired similar environmental movements across India and other parts of the world, making it a model for sustainable development and community participation in environmental protection.
