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Other Similar Environmental Movements - UPSC Social Issues
What is Other Similar Environmental Movements in UPSC Social Issues?
Other Similar Environmental Movements is a key topic under Social Issues for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: Environmental movements in India have a long history, from the 1700s (Bishnoi) to contemporary times (Aarey, Dehing-Patkai).. They often involve local communities, especially women and tribal populations, protecting their livelihoods and ecosystems.. Key movements like Chipko and Silent Valley exemplify non-violent resistance against destructive development projects.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is Other Similar Environmental Movements important for UPSC exam?
Other Similar Environmental Movements 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 Other Similar Environmental Movements, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare Other Similar Environmental Movements for UPSC?
To prepare Other Similar Environmental Movements 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 Other Similar Environmental Movements to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of Other Similar Environmental Movements for UPSC
- Environmental movements in India have a long history, from the 1700s (Bishnoi) to contemporary times (Aarey, Dehing-Patkai).
- They often involve local communities, especially women and tribal populations, protecting their livelihoods and ecosystems.
- Key movements like Chipko and Silent Valley exemplify non-violent resistance against destructive development projects.
- These movements play a crucial role in shaping environmental policy, raising awareness, and advocating for sustainable development.
- They highlight the ongoing tension between economic development and ecological preservation in India.
Other Similar Environmental Movements
Medium⏱️ 8 min read
social issues
📖 Introduction
Understanding Environmental Movements in India
Environmental movements in India have played a crucial role in advocating for the protection of natural resources and sustainable development. These movements often emerge as a response to perceived threats from industrialization, infrastructure projects, or unsustainable practices. They highlight the deep connection between human well-being and environmental health.
Such movements are vital for raising public awareness and influencing policy decisions towards ecological conservation and social justice.
Bishnoi Movement (1700)
The Bishnoi Movement is one of the earliest known environmental movements in India, predating many modern conservation efforts. It originated in the Khejuli village of the Manvar region in Rajasthan.
Year: 1700
Place: Khejuli, Manvar region, Rajasthan
Leader: Amrita Devi
Details: The movement saw villagers, led by Amrita Devi, hugging trees to prevent their felling by the Maharaja's men. This act of sacrifice became a symbol of deep reverence for nature.
Chipko Movement (1973)
The Chipko Movement, meaning 'to hug' or 'to cling to', is a celebrated non-violent social and ecological movement. It emerged in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, then part of Uttar Pradesh.
Year: 1973
Place: Uttarakhand
Leader: Sunderlal Bahuguna
Details: The primary goal was to protect trees on the Himalayan slopes from felling by contractors associated with the Tehri Dam project. Villagers physically embraced trees to deter loggers.
Silent Valley Movement (1978)
The Silent Valley Movement was a significant environmental campaign focused on preserving a pristine rainforest ecosystem in Kerala. It garnered national attention due to its unique biodiversity.
Year: 1978
Place: Silent Valley, Kerala
Key Organization: Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP)
Details: This movement opposed the construction of the Silent Valley Hydroelectric Project, which threatened the valley's rich biodiversity. Public outcry and scientific advocacy led to its cancellation.
Outcome: In November 1983, the project was canceled. In 1985, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi inaugurated the Silent Valley National Park.
Appiko Movement (1982)
The Appiko Movement, similar to Chipko, also focused on forest conservation, but in the southern parts of India. 'Appiko' in Kannada means 'to hug'.
Year: 1982
Place: Kantipuza river region, Singhbhum district, Jharkhand (Note: The source mentions Kantipuza river in Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, but Appiko is widely associated with the Western Ghats in Karnataka. For UPSC, it's crucial to clarify this discrepancy. Assuming the source's data for now, but noting the common association.)
Leaders: Tribals (local communities)
Details: It was a protest against government plans to replace the natural forest with commercial Teak plantations, which would destroy the local ecosystem and livelihoods of tribal communities.
Save Aarey Movement (2019)
The Save Aarey Movement is a recent urban environmental protest highlighting the conflict between infrastructure development and ecological preservation in metropolitan areas.
Year: 2019
Place: Aarey National Park, Mumbai
Leaders/Organizations: Medha Patkar, Arundhati Roy, and various NGOs and local activists.
Details: The movement opposed the felling of thousands of trees in the Aarey Colony, a significant green lung of Mumbai, for the construction of a metro car shed for the Mumbai Metro Limited’s (MMRCL) project.
Save Dehing-Patkai Movement (2019)
The Save Dehing-Patkai Movement emerged in response to industrial activities threatening a vital wildlife sanctuary in Northeast India.
Year: November 2019
Place: Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
Key Figures: Rohit Chaudhury, Adil Hussain, Randeep Hooda, Joi Jadav Payeng (among others).
Details: This movement protested the decision by the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) to permit coal mining in parts of the ecologically sensitive Dehing-Patkai Sanctuary, often referred to as the 'Amazon of the East'.
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Environmental movements in India have a long history, from the 1700s (Bishnoi) to contemporary times (Aarey, Dehing-Patkai).
- •They often involve local communities, especially women and tribal populations, protecting their livelihoods and ecosystems.
- •Key movements like Chipko and Silent Valley exemplify non-violent resistance against destructive development projects.
- •These movements play a crucial role in shaping environmental policy, raising awareness, and advocating for sustainable development.
- •They highlight the ongoing tension between economic development and ecological preservation in India.
🧠 Memory Techniques
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