The Chipko Movement: A 50-Year Legacy of Environmental Protection

Originating in the 1970s, the Chipko Movement emerged in Uttarakhand, India, as a grassroots protest against deforestation. Coined from the Hindi word “chipko,” meaning “to hug,” the movement encouraged villagers to embrace trees, shielding them from the axe. Ghanshyam Sailani’s poignant poem became the rallying cry, urging people to preserve the forests and the true wealth of their hills. Led predominantly by women, the Chipko Movement transformed into a symbol of environmental protection and social change. What began in Chamoli district, now Uttarakhand spread rapidly across northern India. This peaceful resistance not only safeguarded trees but also empowered women, leaving a lasting legacy of environmental consciousness and activism for generations to come.