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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