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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