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50 Years of Chipko Movement - UPSC Social Issues
What is 50 Years of Chipko Movement in UPSC Social Issues?
50 Years of Chipko Movement is a key topic under Social Issues for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: Chipko Movement completed 50 years in 2023, originating in Uttarakhand in 1973.. It was a non-violent, grassroots environmental movement to protect trees from commercial logging.. Key figures included Sunderlal Bahuguna, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, and Gaura Devi.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is 50 Years of Chipko Movement important for UPSC exam?
50 Years of Chipko Movement is a Medium-level topic in UPSC Social Issues. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of 50 Years of Chipko Movement, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare 50 Years of Chipko Movement for UPSC?
To prepare 50 Years of Chipko Movement for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for Social Issues. (5) Write practice answers linking 50 Years of Chipko Movement to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of 50 Years of Chipko Movement for UPSC
- Chipko Movement completed 50 years in 2023, originating in Uttarakhand in 1973.
- It was a non-violent, grassroots environmental movement to protect trees from commercial logging.
- Key figures included Sunderlal Bahuguna, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, and Gaura Devi.
- Women played a pivotal role, often leading the protests.
- Led to a 15-year ban on commercial tree felling in the Himalayan region (1980).
- Inspired subsequent environmental movements and influenced India's forest policies.
50 Years of Chipko Movement
Medium⏱️ 5 min read
social issues
📖 Introduction
Introduction to the Chipko Movement
The Chipko Movement, a seminal environmental protest, recently marked its 50th anniversary. It began in 1973 in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh).
This non-violent social and ecological movement aimed to protect trees and forests from destruction by commercial logging interests.
Origin: The word "Chipko" literally means "to hug" or "to cling to" in Hindi. Participants would embrace trees to prevent them from being felled.
Genesis and Key Figures
The movement was sparked by the government's decision to allocate forest land to a sports goods company, while local villagers were denied access for their traditional needs.
Key figures included Sunderlal Bahuguna, who popularized the movement globally through his "Save the Himalayas" marches, and Chandi Prasad Bhatt, who founded the Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sangh (DGSS).
The active participation of women was a defining characteristic, as they bore the brunt of ecological degradation and were at the forefront of the protests.
Core Principles and Impact
The Chipko Movement was rooted in Gandhian principles of non-violent resistance (Satyagraha) and self-sufficiency, advocating for sustainable forest management by local communities.
Its immediate success led to a 15-year ban on commercial tree felling in the Himalayan forests of Uttar Pradesh in 1980.
UPSC often asks about the socio-economic impact of such movements and the role of women in environmental conservation. Highlight these aspects in your answers for GS Paper I and GS Paper III.
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Chipko Movement completed 50 years in 2023, originating in Uttarakhand in 1973.
- •It was a non-violent, grassroots environmental movement to protect trees from commercial logging.
- •Key figures included Sunderlal Bahuguna, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, and Gaura Devi.
- •Women played a pivotal role, often leading the protests.
- •Led to a 15-year ban on commercial tree felling in the Himalayan region (1980).
- •Inspired subsequent environmental movements and influenced India's forest policies.
🧠 Memory Techniques
95% Verified Content
📚 Reference Sources
•"Chipko Movement: A People's History" by Shekhar Pathak
•Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) reports
•Reputable news archives (e.g., The Hindu, Indian Express on 50th anniversary)