चिपको
आन्दोलन (Chipko Movemnet )

चिपको आंदोलन पर्यावरण से संबंधित है यह गौरा
देवी ने चलाया था। 

चिपको आंदोलन एक
पर्यावरण-रक्षा का आन्दोलन था।

यह भारत के उत्तराखण्ड राज्य
(तब उत्तर प्रदेश का भाग)
में किसानो ने अंगू के वृक्षों की कटाई का विरोध करने के लिए किया था। वे राज्य के
वन विभाग के ठेकेदारों द्वारा वनों की कटाई का विरोध कर रहे थे और उन पर अपना
परम्परागत अधिकार जता रहे थे।

यह आन्दोलन तत्कालीन उत्तर प्रदेश के चमोली
जिले में सन् 1973 में प्रारम्भ हुआ।

एक दशक के अन्दर यह पूरे उत्तराखण्ड क्षेत्र में
फैल गया था।

चिपको आन्दोलन की एक मुख्य बात थी कि इसमें
स्त्रियों ने भारी संख्या में भाग लिया था। इस.आंदोलन की शुरुवात 1973में भारत के
प्रसिद्ध पर्यावरणविद् सुन्दरलाल बहुगुणा, कामरेड
गोविन्द सिंह रावत, चण्डीप्रसाद भट्ट तथा श्रीमती गौरादेवी के
नेत्रत्व मे हुई थी।

यह भी कहा जाता है कि कामरेड गोविन्द सिंह रावत
ही चिपको आन्दोलन के व्यावहारिक पक्ष थे, जब
चिपको की मार व्यापक प्रतिबंधों के रूप में स्वयं चिपको की जन्मस्थली की घाटी पर
पड़ी तब कामरेड गोविन्द सिंह रावत ने झपटो-छीनो आन्दोलन को दिशा प्रदान की। चिपको
आंदोलन वनों का अव्यावहारिक कटान रोकने और वनों पर आश्रित लोगों के वनाधिकारों की
रक्षा का आंदोलन था रेणी में 2400 से अधिक पेड़ों को काटा जाना था, इसलिए
इस पर वन विभाग और ठेकेदार जान लडाने को तैयार बैठे थे जिसे गौरा देवी जी के
नेतृत्व में रेणी गांव की 27 महिलाओं ने प्राणों की बाजी लगाकर असफल
कर दिया था।

'चिपको आन्दोलन'
का घोषवाक्य है

“क्या हैं जंगल के उपकार, मिट्टी,
पानी और बयार।

मिट्टी, पानी और
बयार, जिन्दा रहने के आधार।“

सन 1987 में इस
आन्दोलन को सम्यक जीविका पुरस्कार (Right
Livelihood Award) से सम्मानित किया गया था।

आन्दोलन का प्रभाव

इस आंदोलन की मुख्य उपलब्धि ये रही कि इसने
केंद्रीय राजनीति के एजेंडे में पर्यावरण को एक सघन मुद्दा बना दिया चिपको के
सहभागी तथा कुमाऊँ विश्वविद्यालय के
प्रोफ़ेसर डॉ.शेखर पाठक के अनुसार, “भारत में 1980
का वन संरक्षण अधिनियम और यहाँ तक कि केंद्र सरकार में पर्यावरण मंत्रालय
का गठन भी चिपको की वजह से ही संभव हो पाया।”

उत्तर प्रदेश (वर्तमान उत्तराखण्ड)
में इस aandolan ने 1980 में तब एक बड़ी जीत हासिल की, जब
तत्कालीन प्रधानमंत्री इंदिरा
गाँधी ने प्रदेश के हिमालयी वनों में वृक्षों की
कटाई पर 15 वर्षों के लिए रोक लगा दी। बाद के
वर्षों में यह आन्दोलन पूर्व में बिहार, पश्चिम
में राजस्थान, उत्तर
में हिमाचल प्रदेश, दक्षिण
में कर्नाटक और मध्य
भारत में विंध्य तक फैल
गया था। उत्तर प्रदेश में प्रतिबंध के अलावा यह आन्दोलन पश्चिमी घाट और विंध्य
पर्वतमाला में वृक्षों की कटाई को रोकने में सफल रहा। साथ ही यह लोगों की
आवश्यकताओं और पर्यावरण के प्रति अधिक सचेत प्राकृतिक संसाधन नीति के लिए दबाब
बनाने में भी सफल रहा।

**Chipko Movement
in India: A Landmark Environmental Struggle**

*By Best Sainik School Entrance Exam Coaching, Sainik
Institute, Lucknow*

The Chipko Movement, which began in the 1970s in India, is
one of the most significant and iconic environmental movements in the world.
The movement, which advocated for the preservation of forests, became a symbol
of grassroots activism and community-driven environmental conservation. Led
predominantly by rural women, it highlighted the critical importance of forests
in maintaining ecological balance and the livelihoods of local communities.

In this article, we will explore the history, significance,
and impact of the Chipko Movement, examining its role in shaping India's
environmental policy and the ways in which it continues to inspire
environmental activism today.

### **Origins of the Chipko Movement**

The Chipko Movement (meaning "to hug" or "to
embrace" in Hindi) began in the state of Uttarakhand, formerly known as
Uttar Pradesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas. The movement took root in the
early 1970s, during a time when the Indian government was increasingly granting
timber contracts to commercial companies to exploit the region’s valuable
forests. These actions led to widespread deforestation, which, in turn, caused
soil erosion, the drying up of water sources, and a serious threat to local
agricultural practices.

The spark for the Chipko Movement was a protest led by local
villagers, particularly women, against the felling of trees in their area. The
term "Chipko" came into being when villagers, led by women,
physically hugged trees to prevent them from being cut down. This direct action
of embracing trees was a powerful visual protest against the exploitation of
natural resources for commercial gain.

### **Key Figures and Leaders**

The Chipko Movement is often associated with **Sunderlal
Bahuguna**, an environmentalist from Uttarakhand, who played a significant role
in galvanizing public support for the cause. Bahuguna’s efforts focused on
raising awareness about the environmental degradation caused by unchecked
deforestation and the importance of sustainable forest management.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the pivotal role
played by **Gaura Devi** and other rural women in the movement. In 1974, when a
contractor's men came to cut trees in the village of Reni, Gaura Devi, along
with other women, physically prevented the workers from felling the trees by
wrapping their arms around the trunks. This act of bravery and resistance
became a symbol of the movement and demonstrated the active role that women
played in environmental protection.

### **The Movement’s Ideals and Goals**

The primary goal of the Chipko Movement was the preservation
of forests for ecological and economic reasons. Forests were vital to the local
economy, providing resources for agriculture, fuel, and fodder, as well as
maintaining the delicate balance of the local ecosystem.

Key ideals of the movement included:

**Ecological Conservation**: The movement emphasized
the importance of forests in preserving the environment, preventing soil
erosion, and maintaining the water cycle.

-**Sustainable Development**: Rather than exploiting
natural resources for short-term gain, the movement advocated for sustainable
use of resources that could benefit both people and the environment in the long
run.

-**Women’s Empowerment**: The Chipko Movement is one of the
earliest examples of women’s active participation in environmental activism in
India. It highlighted the intimate connection between rural women and their
natural environment and their critical role in protecting it.

-**Decentralized Governance**: The movement also called for
local communities to have a say in the management of their natural resources,
as opposed to top-down decisions made by government officials or corporations.

**The Impact of the Chipko Movement**

The Chipko Movement gained widespread attention across India
and the world. It not only succeeded in preventing the destruction of many
valuable forests but also became a symbol of non-violent resistance. The
movement's success was due in large part to its ability to unite communities around
a common cause and its peaceful methods of protest.

Some key outcomes of the movement include:

1. **Forest Preservation Laws**: The movement played
a critical role in the Indian government’s decision to impose a 15-year ban on
tree-felling in the Himalayan region, which was announced in 1980. This was a
direct result of the public outcry generated by the movement and the
overwhelming support it received from the people.

2. **Environmental Consciousness**: Chipko helped to
raise awareness about environmental issues and set the stage for future
environmental movements in India, such as the Narmada Bachao Andolan and the
Save Silent Valley movement.

3. **Global Inspiration**: The Chipko Movement
inspired other environmental movements globally, including similar
"tree-hugging" protests in other countries. It demonstrated the power
of grassroots movements in challenging unjust environmental practices.

4. **Empowerment of Women**: The involvement of women
in the movement led to a broader recognition of their role in environmental
protection and sustainable development, inspiring other women’s movements in
India and beyond.

### **Legacy of the Chipko Movement**

The legacy of the Chipko Movement extends far beyond the
1970s and 1980s. Today, the movement is remembered as a powerful example of how
ordinary citizens—especially women—can fight for the preservation of their
natural environment. It helped establish the foundation for India’s
environmental laws and policies, influencing the enactment of the **Forest
Conservation Act of 1980** and the **Environmental Protection Act of 1986**.

Moreover, the Chipko Movement also marked the beginning of a
larger conversation about **ecological justice**—the understanding that
environmental degradation disproportionately affects marginalized communities,
including women and indigenous populations.

### **Conclusion**

The Chipko Movement is not just a historical event; it is a
living example of grassroots environmental activism that continues to inspire
individuals and movements worldwide. The power of the Chipko Movement lay in
its ability to bring together local communities, women, and environmentalists
in a unified fight for the protection of the earth's resources. As
environmental challenges such as deforestation, climate change, and
biodiversity loss continue to threaten the planet, the Chipko Movement remains
a beacon of hope for sustainable, community-led solutions.

At **Sainik Institute Lucknow**, we believe that
understanding such movements is crucial for young minds preparing for a future
in the armed forces. The Chipko Movement teaches us not only about
environmental responsibility but also about courage, unity, and the power of
non-violent resistance. It is an inspiring example of how individuals,
especially from marginalized communities, can come together to protect what is
most valuable: our planet.

**Sainik Institute Lucknow** offers coaching for
Sainik School Entrance Exams with a focus on all-round development, instilling
values like leadership, discipline, and social responsibility. As part of our
curriculum, we emphasize the importance of understanding India’s history,
culture, and movements such as Chipko, which shape our society today.