Define Chipko Movement.

The Chipko Movement was a grassroots environmental movement in India that emerged in the 1970s, primarily in the state of Uttarakhand (formerly part of Uttar Pradesh). The movement was centered around the protection and conservation of forests, particularly against deforestation and commercial logging activities that threatened local communities and ecosystems.

The term "Chipko" means "to hug" or "to cling" in Hindi, symbolizing the non-violent and peaceful resistance employed by the villagers, predominantly women, who hugged trees to prevent them from being cut down by loggers. The movement originated in response to the exploitation of forests by commercial logging companies, which adversely affected the livelihoods and natural resources of the local communities.

Led by environmental activists such as Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt, the Chipko Movement gained widespread attention and became a symbol of grassroots environmental activism and ecological conservation. The movement highlighted the importance of sustainable forest management, community-based resource conservation, and the role of local communities in protecting their natural environment.

The Chipko Movement had a lasting impact on environmental policies in India, leading to the introduction of measures to promote afforestation, sustainable forestry practices, and community-based forest management. It also inspired similar movements globally, advocating for the protection of forests and indigenous rights in the face of environmental degradation and industrial exploitation.