Question

The aim of ‘Chipko movement’ was
A. To prevent deforestation.
B. To support deforestation
C. To support urbanisation
D. To prevent hybridisation

Answer 1

The Chipko movement also called Chipko Andolan is a non violent movement that was started by Sunderlal Bahuguna to protect and conserve the forest in Uttarakhand, India.

Complete Answer:
- The Chipko movement was provoked by the Government's decision to cut the trees and allot the forest land to a company that manufactured sports goods. It was started in April 1973 in the upper Alaknanda valley in Uttarpradesh and spread across many villages of Himalayas in Uttarpradesh.
- The government’s decision angered the villagers as the government had previously denied permission for them to make use of trees for fuel and agricultural tools.
- With the support of Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sangh (DGSS) and a local Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), under the leadership of Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunderlal Bahuguna, the women of the area went to the forest and encircled the trees preventing them men from cutting down the trees and protecting the forest.

Therefore the correct answer is (A) To prevent deforestation.

Note: Chipko movement has its real roots back in 1730. During that period, the movement was led by Amrita Devi in her native Khejarli village to avoid the soldiers from cutting down the trees as ordered by the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Bachini Devi, Dhoom Singh Negi and other women of the village were the first women to protect the trees by hugging them. They also introduced the slogan “What do the forest bear? Soil, water and pure air” during the movement.