About Chipko Movement

• The Hindi word chipko means “to hug” or “to cling to” and reflects the demonstrators’ tactic of embracing trees to impede loggers.
• Chipko movement is a nonviolent social and ecological movement that took place in 1973 in Uttarakhand.
• The modern Chipko movement in the Garhwal Himalayas originated with growing awareness towards  deforestation.
• The landmark event in this struggle took place on March 26, 1974, when a group of peasant women in Reni village, in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India, acted to prevent the cutting of trees and reclaim their traditional forest rights that were threatened by the contractor system of the state Forest Department.
• Their actions inspired hundreds of such actions at the grassroots level throughout the region aimed at protecting trees and forests slated for government-backed logging. 
• The Chipko Movement gained traction under Sunderlal Bahuguna, an eco activist, who spent his life persuading and educating the villagers to protest against the destruction of the forests and Himalayan mountains.
• The movement is also said to have provided impetus for the formation of the Forest conservation Act, 1980.

Why in news?

• The Chipko Movement which took place in the 1970s marked its 50th Anniversary.