Collective Behaviour and Protests — Important Questions

Sunderlal Bahuguna

Shri Sunderlal Bahuguna was one of the main leaders of the Chipko movement, along with Shri Chandiprasad Bhatt. Bahuguna was an environmental activist who led the protest against tree cutting in Uttarakhand in 1973. Medha Patkar led the Narmada Bachao Andolan, Dr. Shivaram Karanth protested against the Kaiga nuclear power project, and E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker led the self-respect movement in Tamil Nadu. Each leader was associated with different social movements.

Karnataka

The Appiko movement took place in Karnataka in 1983. Specifically, it began with farmers of Salyani village in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. When contractors came to cut down trees in Kelase forest, farmers hugged the trees and protested to stop them. The purpose was to prevent tree smuggling and create awareness about the importance of growing trees and environmental protection. 'Appiko' is the Kannada equivalent of 'Chipko', both meaning to hug or embrace.

Medha Patkar

Medha Patkar, along with Baba Amte, led the Narmada Bachao Andolan. This movement was launched against the construction of a dam across the Narmada river under the Sardar Sarovar Project in Gujarat. They protested because they believed the dam construction would cause large-scale destruction of forests, damage to the environment, and pose threats to many animal species. Medha Patkar is a well-known environmental and social activist who has been at the forefront of this movement.

Kerala

The Silent Valley movement took place in Kerala, specifically in the Silent Valley in Palghat taluk. When a dam was planned to be constructed in this ecologically sensitive area, the environment and many animal species came under threat. The Kerala Sahitya Parishad and wildlife enthusiasts agitated against the dam construction. This movement was successful in protecting the unique flora and fauna of the Silent Valley, which is now a protected national park known for its biodiversity.