Hugging Movement to Save the Environment

The human population has grown significantly due to our ability to combat common diseases. However, this unintentional progress has had a negative impact on our environment. The increase in our population has created a greater demand for resources such as land and water. As a result, vast areas of forest have been cleared to make way for agriculture, grazing, and raw material production. Furthermore, our reliance on technology and industry has contributed to pollution and environmental damage. Vehicle emissions, toxic waste, and fossil fuel by-products all emit harmful substances into the air, leading to air pollution. These negative consequences are by-products of our advancements and innovations. We were unaware of the limited resources of the world, and now we are using them faster than the planet can replenish them. This will soon lead to a shortage when the resources run out.

It is important to recognize environmental degradation as a serious issue, as it may result in the destruction of our ecosystem. We need to take action to protect the environment before it is too late.

In Mandal, a town in the upper Alaknanda Valley, a group of workers prevented business loggers from cutting down a patch of trees by threatening to hug them. This peaceful and creative approach was adopted by other villages in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, all aiming to protect the forests in their areas.

The Chipko movement was a grassroots movement that spread across many parts of India and aimed to protect forests from commercial logging. The Chipko movement or Chipko Andolan in Hindi, in a real sense signifies ‘hugging movement' a forest conservation movement in India. The movement was led by environmental activists, Sunderlal Bahuguna, who recognized the important relationship between humans and the natural world.

The Chipko activists used non-violent and creative methods to protest against deforestation. The act of hugging trees became a symbol of their commitment to protecting the environment. By embracing and chaining themselves to trees, they physically prevented loggers from cutting them down. The movement gained widespread attention and support, not only in India but also internationally. It highlighted the importance of preserving forests for the well-being of people and the planet. The message behind the movement was clear - the value of human lives and livelihoods should not be prioritized over the destruction of forests.

The Garhwal Himalayas emerged as a hub for growing environmental awareness regarding the devastating consequences of reckless deforestation. This was exemplified by the catastrophic Alaknanda River floods that occurred in July 1970, when a massive landslide obstructed the flow of the river, resulting in extensive damage along a 200-mile stretch from Hanumanchatti near Badrinath to Haridwar. Numerous towns, bridges, and roads were washed away in the aftermath of this disaster. Subsequently, incidents of landslides and land subsidence became more prevalent in the region due to the rapid proliferation of civil engineering projects.

Sunderlal Bahuguna and his fellow activists initiated the practice of embracing trees in their movement. The youngsters also took a solemn oath in blood to protect nature. Eventually, women in the Himalayas joined the cause, embracing trees and tying rakhis onto their trunks, (Rakhis are traditionally cotton bracelets that are often intricately decorated. They are given as gifts during the festival of Raksha Bandhan by girls or women to their brothers or individuals they view as brothers. By offering a rakhi, the girl or woman symbolically emphasizes the bond they share and expects the recipient to treat them like a sister in return). This gesture symbolized their commitment and sisterly bond with the trees. Women played a crucial role in the movement as they were the most affected by the consequences of deforestation, such as scarcity of firewood and drinking water. They fearlessly confronted lumberjacks, even amidst snowfall, to prevent further tree-cutting. Peaceful demonstrations, tree-hugging, and fasting became their methods of protest. These efforts yielded positive outcomes, leading to a 15-year prohibition on commercial deforestation in Uttarakhand. Moreover, the ban was extended to forests in the Vindhyas and Western Ghats.

The Chipko movement, after a decade of intense demonstrations, achieved a significant victory in 1980. By effectively advocating and raising awareness, the movement successfully preserved trees in the area and gained global support. Its success was rooted in recognizing the interconnectedness between trees and the economic and spiritual aspects of human societies. Moreover, it brought attention to forest rights and demonstrated the power of grassroots efforts in influencing governmental decisions. The Chipko movement serves as a prime example of how protest can bring about practical and effective social change. In a similar vein, the massive deforestation in 2017 of century-old trees along Jessore Road in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, sparked a widespread movement. This movement led to a local campaign aimed at saving 4000 trees, following in the footsteps of the Chipko movement.

The Chipko movement played a significant role in raising awareness about environmental conservation and influencing government policies. It also inspired similar movements around the world, contributing to the broader global environmental movement. Overall, the Chipko movement showcased the power of peaceful and creative activism and reminded us of the interconnectedness between humans and nature. It remains an important chapter in the history of environmental conservation in India.