Question

Pioneer of the ‘chipko movement’ in the state of Uttaranchal is __________.
A. G.L. Bahuguna
B. S.L. Bahuguna
C. Kanhu Sanjal
D. Premji Nath

Answer 1

Hint:The Chipko movement was one of the strongest movements that aimed for the conservation of forests in India. It started in 1973 in the district of Chamoli in Uttarakhand which was earlier a part of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Complete answer:
A Gandhian activist, Sunderlal Bahuguna was a nature lover and a pioneer who led the chipko movement in the Himalayas. It was his efforts that the world took notice of this non-violent and peaceful resort to an ecological movement. He ignited the ecological and social awareness among the local people and emphasized on the need to save trees and stop rapid deforestation. He got constant support from his wife Vimla Bahuguna who herself was one of the protesters. The word chipko means ’to embrace’. It was when the contractors and loggers used to bring in their axes and machines to fell the trees, the villagers hugged the trees and encircled them to prevent the loggers cutting down the trees. The movement saw the rural women taking the loggerheads for the cause of preserving forests and their social security. The rural population relied on forests for their livelihood as it provided them both food and fuel. This movement helped women to bring about a change in attitude regarding their own status in society.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note:Chipko movement soon spread across the nation and there were protests to ban deforestation and reinstate ecological balance. In 2009, Sunderlal Bahuguna was honoured with India’s second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan.