Google celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Chipko Movement on Monday with a doodle, illustrated by Svabhu Kohli and Viplov Singh, that commemorated the movement and those involved.
The Chipko Andolan was a non-violent, grassroots movement that has inspired several future environmental movements.
The Chipko Andolan also stands out as an eco-feminist movement. Women formed the nucleus of the movement, as the group most directly affected by the lack of firewood and drinking water caused by deforestation.Google
The original Chipko movement dates back to the 18th century when protesters laid down their lives to protect a group of khejri trees that were ordered to be cut down. They surrounded the tress and embraced them by linking hands, thus physically protecting them from the loggers . The movement was later named “chipko,” which means “to stick.”
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)