Government in Garhwal Region in Uttranchal State used to auction trees to private contractors in a large scale that result in deforestation and soil erosion. Fodder for domestic animals, fruits and vegetables were scarce due to this. At the same time government was not employing local youth as labourers to cut trees. Thus, local unemployment and poverty problems were also not taken care of by the government.
Local people were leaving the place in search of work. The problem became severe and unmanageable when Forest Department sold the trees to a sports- goods manufacturer instead of a local co-operative society. The society had the plan to make ploughing impediments.
The villager became agitated, but later followed peaceful non violent movement were Shri Sunderlal Bahuguna and Shri Charandas Bhatt. This movement is called Chipko Movement because the villagers literally embraced (Chipko) the trees. It focused on these issues:
- Trees required by the villagers on regular basis would be planted near the village and thus prevent them to enter into reserved forest.
- To control rate of migration, forest based village industries to be developed in the village.
- Contract system should be abolished. Local people should conserve, develop and exploit the forest but judiciously.
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