Sunderlal Bahuguna, a prominent environmental activist in Delhi and a teacher of the Chipko movement, has passed away. Kovid was treated at AIIMS Hospital in Rishikesh. Covid confirmed a few days ago. He was shifted to AIIMS Hospital in Rishikesh due to ill health.
Sunderlal Bahuguna is the leader who started the Chipko movement against deforestation. For years, voices have been raised for the protection of forests in the Himalayas. The movement was launched on March 26, 1974 in Raini, Uttarakhand. In 2009, the country honored him with the Padma Vibhushan.
Bahuguna was born on January 9, 1927 in the village of Maroda near Tehri in Uttarakhand. He initially fought against untouchability and later organized women and organized anti-alcohol struggles. Bahuguna, who had copied Gandhian ideas in her life, married Vimala on the condition that she live in a rural area and establish an ashram. He trekked about 4,700 km through the Himalayan forests and learned about deforestation and human life caused by major projects.
The Chipko movement, which means ‘stick together’ in Hindi, was started on March 26, 1974 in Uttar Pradesh. When trees were cut down, people hugged and protested. After meeting Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, she got dressed and banned the felling of trees.
Tehri rallied for decades against the dam. The fast he led was very significant. The then Prime Minister PV Naidu said that a commission could be appointed to study the implications of the dam. The 45-day fast was called off following Narasimha Rao’s assurance. Bahuguna was arrested in 2001 in connection with the resumption of construction of the dam.
Before the formation of the state of Uttarakhand, the village of Raini was in Uttar Pradesh. Rural women protested against the government’s policy of allowing trees to be cut down in the forest. Declaring the forest as their home, they embraced the trees on March 26, 1974 and spent the night.
When more people from the nearby villages came and covered the trees, those who had come to cut it down gave up and returned. Later, the Chipko movement, led by Gandhian Sunderlal Bahuguna, gained world attention against deforestation. He has won many awards.
