Explain about Various Enviromental Movements in India

Environmental movements in India have a rich history, driven by a blend of ecological concerns, social justice, and the protection of indigenous rights. These movements have played a crucial role in shaping India’s environmental policies and raising awareness about the impact of deforestation, industrialization, and unsustainable development.

Here’s an overview of some of the most notable environmental movements in India :

1. Chipko Movement (1973)

• Location: Uttarakhand (then Uttar Pradesh)
• Cause: Deforestation and the exploitation of forest resources by logging contractors.
• Key Leaders: Gaura Devi, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, and Sundarlal Bahuguna.
• Features:
  • The Chipko Movement is one of India’s most famous environmental movements. It was a grassroots movement where villagers, mostly women, hugged trees to prevent them from being cut down by contractors.
  • The movement highlighted the connection between deforestation and natural disasters like landslides and floods, which affected the livelihoods of local communities.
  • The movement led to a 15-year ban on the felling of trees in the Himalayan forests by the government.

2. Silent Valley Movement (1973-1985)

• Location: Kerala
• Cause: Prevention of a hydroelectric project in the Silent Valley, a biodiversity hotspot in the Western Ghats.
• Key Leaders: Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad, and several environmentalists, including M.K. Prasad.
• Features:
  • This movement was launched to stop the construction of a dam in the Silent Valley, which threatened to submerge a large part of the forest and affect its unique flora and fauna.
  • After prolonged protests, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi intervened, and in 1985, the Silent Valley was declared a national park.
  • The movement is significant for its role in raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the need for sustainable development.

3. Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) (1985-Present)

• Location: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
• Cause: Opposition to the construction of large dams on the Narmada River, particularly the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
• Key Leaders: Medha Patkar, Baba Amte, Arundhati Roy.
• Features:
  • The Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save Narmada Movement) emerged to fight for the rights of indigenous people (adivasis), farmers, and others who would be displaced by the dam.
  • The movement raised concerns about the environmental impacts of large dams, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of ecosystems.
  • It also emphasized the need for rehabilitation and compensation for displaced communities.
  • While the dam was eventually built, the NBA has had a lasting impact on India’s development policies, particularly concerning large infrastructure projects and displacement.

4. Appiko Movement (1983)

• Location: Karnataka
• Cause: Prevention of deforestation in the Western Ghats.
• Key Leaders: Panduranga Hegde
• Features:
  • The Appiko Movement was inspired by the Chipko Movement and focused on saving the forests in the Western Ghats from commercial logging.
  • Like Chipko, villagers hugged trees to prevent them from being felled, drawing attention to the ecological and social consequences of deforestation.
  • The movement successfully halted tree felling in several areas and raised awareness about the importance of forests for local communities.

5. Bishnoi Movement (1730)

• Location: Rajasthan
• Cause: Protection of trees and wildlife.
• Key Leaders: Amrita Devi Bishnoi and the Bishnoi community.
• Features:
  • Although one of the oldest known environmental movements, the Bishnoi Movement is still celebrated for its dedication to protecting nature.
  • The movement began when the Bishnoi community protested against the felling of trees in Khejarli village. Amrita Devi and 363 other Bishnois sacrificed their lives while protecting the trees.
  • The Bishnoi community’s philosophy revolves around living in harmony with nature, which continues to inspire environmental conservation efforts in India.

6. Tehri Dam Protest (1978-2004)

• Location: Uttarakhand
• Cause: Opposition to the construction of the Tehri Dam on the Bhagirathi River.
• Key Leaders: Sundarlal Bahuguna, the environmentalist associated with the Chipko Movement.
• Features:
  • The Tehri Dam protest was primarily concerned with the environmental and social consequences of the dam, including displacement of local people, submergence of agricultural land, and potential geological hazards.
  • Sundarlal Bahuguna undertook a long hunger strike against the dam’s construction, highlighting the environmental risks and the lack of adequate rehabilitation for displaced communities.
  • Despite the protests, the dam was completed, but the movement raised important questions about the trade-offs between development and environmental sustainability.

7. Save the Western Ghats Movement (1987)

• Location: Western Ghats (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Goa)
• Cause: Conservation of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats.
• Key Leaders: Various grassroots organizations, environmentalists, and activists.
• Features:
  • The movement aimed to protect the Western Ghats, one of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspots, from unsustainable development projects like deforestation, mining, and industrial activities.
  • It involved a massive campaign across five states to raise awareness about the need to conserve the Western Ghats and its rich biodiversity.
  • The movement eventually led to the formation of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, which recommended protective measures for the region.

8. Jungle Bachao Andolan (1980s)

• Location: Bihar (now Jharkhand)
• Cause: Opposition to the government’s decision to replace the natural Sal forest with commercial teak plantations.
• Key Leaders: Tribals and local communities.
• Features:
  • The Jungle Bachao Andolan was initiated by tribal communities to protect their forests from commercial exploitation.
  • The movement raised concerns about the ecological imbalance caused by replacing native forests with monoculture plantations, which affected the biodiversity and traditional livelihoods of indigenous communities.
  • It became a symbol of the fight for tribal rights and environmental conservation in India.

9. Bhopal Gas Tragedy Movement (1984)

• Location: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
• Cause: Industrial disaster at Union Carbide’s pesticide plant, leading to a massive gas leak.
• Key Leaders: Local survivors, activist groups, and environmental organizations.
• Features:
  • The Bhopal Gas Tragedy was one of the world’s worst industrial disasters, causing immediate and long-term health issues for thousands of people.
  • The movement that followed aimed to hold the corporation accountable, demand compensation for victims, and bring attention to the environmental damage caused by industrial negligence.
  • It remains a key case for industrial safety, corporate responsibility, and environmental justice in India.

10. Navdanya Movement (1987)

• Location: Nationwide
• Cause: Promotion of biodiversity, organic farming, and seed sovereignty.
• Key Leaders: Dr. Vandana Shiva.
• Features:
  • The Navdanya Movement is a national movement focused on protecting biodiversity, promoting organic farming, and preserving indigenous seeds from corporate monopolies.
  • It advocates for sustainable agriculture, food security, and the rights of farmers against the threats posed by genetically modified crops and industrial farming.
  • The movement is also involved in training farmers in sustainable agricultural practices to resist the adverse effects of globalization and industrial agriculture.

Conclusion

These Environmental Movements in India reflect a deep connection between ecological concerns and the rights of local communities. They have been instrumental in promoting environmental consciousness, influencing policy changes, and raising global awareness about the need for sustainable and equitable development. Each movement highlights the critical relationship between humans and nature, emphasizing the importance of protecting the environment for future generations.