Environmental Education and Women's Participation
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 04:14 — LIG Reporter
Much has been talked and said about the tree hugging movement or the Chipko movement in India. Often referred to as a movement spearheaded by women, it brought forth the actual significance of environmental education and the dynamic role played by women in implementing what they learn from such basis lessons of environmental education. Women’s participation and environmental education are the twin pillars that set the foundation for the success of the Chipko movement. The movement began in the Himalayan regions, where forests are the main source of livelihood. The movement aimed to protest and prevent deforestation, water pollution and floods.
Environmental Education and Women’s Participation to Prevent Cutting of Trees
In 1971, the significant impact of environmental education received a new lease of life with the Chipko Movement, that began in the Uttarakhand region. It was started by the locals, with the help of Dashauli Gram Swarajya Sangh (DGSS), an NGO. The movement sparked off after the Forest Department rejected the demand of the local people to cut 12 Ash trees so that they could make agricultural implements. Their demand was rejected on ecological grounds. However, the 32 Ash trees were allotted for cutting down to a sports goods company. Further, 2500 trees were auctioned by the Department to be cut down.
The villagers took out demonstrations and began to surround, circle or hug trees to prevent them from being cut. However, the local authorities enticed away the DGSS activists and local men to curb protests but a group of village women took the initiative further to save the trees. A group of 27 women, lead by a 50 year old widow, collected in the forest, surrounded the trees and passionately sang slogans against the cutting of trees, thereby forcing the woodcutters to leave. Also, the contractors backed off.
Slowly, the momentum spread across the country. Similar protests were seen in Bhyudar Valley, in 1980. The village women protested against the men’s decision to allot 60 acre of Oak forest to construct a horticulture farm. Women demanded their right to participate in the forest management process. The significance of mass movements against such initiatives triggered state governments to treat environmental issues with more seriousness than before.
Following the Chipko movement, the State Government set up the Reni Investigation Committee. Further, based on recommendations of the Committee, the U.P government banned the commercial exploitation of 1200 sq. km of river catchment area.
In 1976, the IGSS initiated several such programs to prevent landslides and increase forest produce. These camps helped to spread awareness and environmental education among the villagers. In 1987, the Chipko movement was awarded ‘Right to Livelihood Award’ which is a highly prestigious award that is synonymous with honor and global recognition.
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