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50 years of Chipko Movement


Why is it in the news?

  • The Chipko Movement, spanning 50 years, epitomizes grassroots environmental activism through its nonviolent tree-hugging protests in India, promoting forest conservation and community empowerment.

More about the news

  • The Chipko Movement originated in 1973 in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand (then Uttar Pradesh) to prevent the felling of trees in the Himalayas.
  • Led by environmentalists like Sundarlal Bahuguna and Gaura Devi, villagers embraced trees (hence “Chipko,” meaning “embrace”) to protect them from being cut down.
  • The movement traces its roots back to the 18th century when the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan initiated a similar movement to protect sacred trees.
  • Chipko gained international recognition for its mobilization of women in environmental conservation, reflecting the principles of Eco-feminism.
Eco-feminism

·       Eco-feminism is a philosophical and political movement that explores the links between ecological issues and the oppression of women in patriarchal societies.

·       It critiques capitalist patriarchy for prioritizing profit over environmental and social well-being.

·       Eco-feminism highlights the importance of traditional ecological knowledge often held and transmitted by women.

·       Women’s direct relationship with the natural environment, through activities like water and firewood collection, underscores their role in sustainable practices.

 

Other notable eco-feminist movements

·       Narmada Bachao Andolan led by Medha Patkar against dam construction, the Appiko Movement in Karnataka’s Western Ghats, and the Silent Valley Movement in Kerala.

·       Women’s activism in response to environmental injustices, such as the Bhopal Gas tragedy, exemplifies the ongoing relevance of eco-feminism in advocating for environmental and social justice.

 

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