Rudraprayag, March 26 – As the Chipko Movement completes 51 years today, its message of environmental conservation remains more relevant than ever. However, despite its historic significance, the movement and its lessons seem to have faded from public consciousness. The environmental concerns raised by Gaura Devi and her fellow villagers in Raini more than five decades ago still persist, yet the movement’s core issues—water, forests, and land—rarely find a place in political manifestos or policy discussions.
The Chipko Movement, which began as a grassroots effort to save trees from deforestation in Uttarakhand, set an example for the world in environmental activism. However, in its own homeland, its spirit appears to be forgotten. While seminars, posters, and newspaper articles commemorate the movement, concrete action on the ground remains minimal. The declining forest cover, erratic snowfall, and increasing environmental imbalance are stark reminders that the movement’s fight is far from over.
Gaura Devi’s Historic Angwal (Embrace) of the Forests
The Chipko Movement was born out of necessity in the 1970s when the government sanctioned large-scale deforestation across Garhwal, from Rampur-Fata to the Niti Valley of Joshimath. The movement was spearheaded by visionaries like Chandi Prasad Bhatt, Hayat Singh Bist, and Govind Singh Rawat, along with student leaders and the fearless women of the region.
The first victory came in April 1973, when activists successfully prevented deforestation in the Mandal Valley. However, the real test came in 1974 when 2,500 trees in Raini were marked for felling by the Simon Goods Company. The administration devised a strategy to keep the male activists occupied elsewhere, leaving only women, children, and the elderly in the village. Seizing this opportunity, the contractors and laborers marched into the forests with their saws and axes.
But they had not accounted for the courage of the women of Raini, led by Gaura Devi. On March 26, 1974, Gaura Devi and her companions confronted the loggers, declaring the forest as their “maternal home” and refusing to let a single tree be cut. When their pleas were ignored, they embraced the trees, vowing that the contractors would have to kill them first. Their unwavering determination forced the laborers to retreat, marking a historic victory for the movement.
A Movement That Inspired the World
The defiant stand of Raini’s women resonated far and wide. News of their courageous act spread beyond Chamoli, leading to national and international recognition. Soon, the movement became a symbol of community-led environmental conservation. On March 30, 1974, a massive victory procession from Raini to Joshimath celebrated the success of Chipko. The beats of dhol-damau (traditional drums) echoed through the hills as men and women, adorned in traditional attire, marched to honor their triumph.
Chipko’s Echo in Today’s World
Fifty-one years later, the challenges that sparked the Chipko Movement persist. The forests are still under threat, climate change is disrupting weather patterns, and environmental policies often take a backseat to development agendas. While the people of Raini, Joshimath, and Urgam Valley continue to remember Gaura Devi’s legacy, much of the country has moved on.
Recently, Team Himgiri’s initiative to protect the deodar trees in Jogeshwar Dham by tying Raksha Sutras (sacred threads) was a rare example of Chipko’s spirit in action. However, such efforts remain isolated. The real question is: have we truly understood the significance of Gaura Devi’s Chipko, or have we confined it to history books and commemorations?
As we mark 51 years of the Chipko Movement, it is time to move beyond remembrance and take real, ground-level action to protect our forests. The legacy of Gaura Devi and her brave companions must not remain just a story—it must become a guiding force for our environmental future.
