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In 1973, the Chipko movement was started in the Reni Village of Chamoli District, Uttar Pradesh state. This movement is also known as Chipko Andolan. At that time it was started in the Himalayan Range of Uttrakhand State (Earlier the part of Uttar Pradesh). This movement was started by Sundarlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt.
This was a non-violent movement led by rural villagers to protect the forest and trees. The main objective of Chipko Andolan was to stop logging funded by the government. The women of that area played an important role. The word “Chipko” is a Hindi word that means “To Hug”. Initially, it was limited to the Himalayan Ranges, but later it became one the greatest forest-saving campaigns.
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Background of Chipko Movement
In the year 1963, the Uttar Pradesh state was in the developing phase, especially in the Himalayan ranges. The forest of that location was full of resources that attracted the attention of several foreign companies.
On the other hand, villagers depended on forests for their needs, including fuel, food, and water. When foreign companies started deforestation, it disturbed the lives of local people. To oppose them, the Chipko Andolan started in Reni Village of Chamoli District of the Garhwal region which was a part of Uttarakhand, but later became part of Uttar Pradesh.
Facts About Chipko Andloan
- The Chipko movement was initiated by Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt.
- Gaura Devi, Sudesha Devi, and Bachni Devi were the important women leaders in the movement.
- The local hill women took an active part in the campaign, with the intent of saving the area from ecological threats.
- People started embracing or hugging the trees whenever the timber contractor forced or reached to cut the trees.
- Chipko Andolan started in the year 1973.
- Saving trees and forests was the main objective of Chipko Andolan.
- The campaign further gave inspiration to other regions of India, including Karnataka in the South in the year 1983, to safeguard their green forest from the contractors.
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Summary
Where did the Chipko Movement First Started in India?
Reni Village of Uttar Pradesh was the first place where the Chipko movement was started in 1973. People came together to save trees from deforestation.
FAQs
The Chipko movement started in Reni village of Uttar Pradesh (Now in Uttrakhand).
Sundarlal Bahuguna started the Chipko andolan. Gaura Devi, Sudesha Devi, Bachni Devi, and Chandi Prasad Bhatt played important roles in the movement.
Sunderlal Bahuguna was an environmentalist and is known as the father of Chipko movement.
That’s all about when the Chipko Movement first started. If you want to read more articles like this, you can get Study notes on the Modern History of India here. Also, you can visit our general knowledge page on Indian History!