Learn about the origin, philosophy, impact and relevance of the Chipko Movement , a landmark environmental movement that started in Uttarakhand in 1973. The movement involved women hugging trees to protect them from commercial loggers and inspired similar movements in India and abroad. Chipko is Hindi for “to cling” or “to hug”. Eventually, these women’s aim to protect India’s forests evolved into a green movement that continues to persist amid the rapidly accelerating climate crisis. The story of Chipko was inspired by Amrita Devi from the northwestern state of Rajasthan. Chipko movement was a non-violent movement initiated for the conservation of forests to maintain ecological balance in the environment. Beginning in Uttar Pradesh's Chamoli region (currently Uttarakhand) in 1973, the uprising against the felling of trees and maintaining the natural balance quickly spread to other states in north India.
