Question

Chipko movement originated in the district
a. Allahabad
b. Chamoli
c. Hardwar
d. Dehradun

Answer 1

Hint: Chipko movement was a non-violent movement started in 1973, and was initiated by Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sundar Lal Bahuguna. The aim of this movement was to protect and conserve forests of Uttarakhand as a large scale cutting of trees was happening there by the contractors of timber.

Complete answer:
Chipko movement was a large-scale movement to protect the forests and trees on the hills of Uttarakhand. It is remembered for the participation of local people, especially women and children, when they collectively gathered against trees cutting in their forests. It was not only a step for preservation of forests but also as a stand taken by women for their status in the society. Due to cutting of trees, wildlife was disturbing and it could also have led to ecological imbalance.
The movement started in Chamoli district of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Earlier, in 1973, Uttrakhand was not a separate state, so it was a part of Uttar Pradesh.

Additional information:
In this movement, local people participated in a way that they used to hug the trees whenever the timber contractors reached to cut trees. The word ‘chipko’ here means ‘to embrace’ or ‘hug’, as the villagers used to hug or encircle the trees. In a short period of time, this movement spread all over north India.

Note: Originally, the Chipko andolan started back in the 18th century in Rajasthan. The local villagers there sacrificed their lives to protect trees when the king of Jodhpur ordered them to cut down all the trees. After this incident the king changed his orders and banned cutting of trees.