Question

State an instance where human intervention saved the forests from destruction.

Answer 1

Hint: The Chipko movement was a non-violent agitation which was aimed at protection and the conservation of trees, but, perhaps, it is the best remembered for the collective mobilization of the women for the cause of preserving forests, which also brought about a change in the attitude regarding their own status in the society.

Complete answer:
• A well-known example in which human interference saved the forests from destruction, is the Chipko Andolan, also called the ‘Hug the Trees Movement’.
• In March 1974, a movement started in Gopeshwar, Chamoli district, headed by Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sundar Lal Bahuguna of Siltara, Tehri region.
• It started to protect trees.
• Local women hugged the trees and showed outstanding bravery in protecting trees from the ax of contractors.
• In the end, finally, the forest trees were saved and the contractor had to withdraw.
• People all over the world appreciated the Chipko movement.
• It was one of the biggest forest conservation movements.

Additional information:
In March, two thousand and eighteen, The Chipko movement conservation initiative was marked by Google Doodle on the occasion of its forty-fifth anniversary.
A similar movement was led by Pandurang Hegde in southern India and is known as the Appiko movement. It aims at conservation, plantation, and rational use of forest trees.

Note: The Government of India started Joint Forest Management in 1980 to work closely with the local communities for forest conservation and protection. In return for their services to the forest, the communities get the benefit from various forest products like rubber, gum, fruit, medicine, etc. This was a sustainable way of forest conservation.