A PRESENTATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL

MOMENTS

SUBMITTED BY:-
 DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCE THIRD
SEMESTER

1. Ananya Hariharno

2. Ashika Agrawal
3. Geeta Rajwade
4. Gunjan Bareth

What is Environmental moment?

The environmental movement (sometimes referred to as the ecology
movement), also including conservation and green politics, is a diverse
philosophical, social, and political movement for addressing environmental
issues. Environmentalists advocate the just and sustainable management
of resources and stewardship of the environment through changes in
public policy and individual behaviour. In its recognition of humanity as a
participant in (not enemy of) ecosystems, the movement is centered on
ecology, health, and human rights. The environmental movement is an
international movement, represented by a range of organizations, from
enterprises to grassroots and varies from country to country. Due to its
large membership, varying and strong beliefs, and occasionally
speculative nature, the environmental movement is not always united in
its goals. The movement also encompasses some other movements with
a more specific focus, such as the climate movement. At its broadest, the
movement includes private citizens, professionals, religious devotees,
politicians, scientists, nonprofit organizations, and individual advocates.
1. BISHNOI MOMENT:-
Bishnoi Movement was started around 260 years back in the early part of the 18th
century in Rajasthan by the Bishnoi community. A large group of them from 84
villages led by a lady called Amrita Devi laid down their lives in an effort to protect
the trees from being felled on the orders of the Maharaja (King) of Jodhpur.
 The Bishnoi movement is one of the first organized proponents of
ecoconservation, wildlife protection, and green living.
 The Bishnois are considered the first environmentalists of India. They are born
nature lovers. In the history of environmental movements, this was the
 movement that, for the first time, used the strategy of hugging and embracing
trees for their protection. The famous Amrita Devi’s movement is considered to
be among the pioneering efforts for environmental protection. King Abhay Singh
of Jodhpur, in the 1730s, when building his new palace, ordered his soldiers to
cut down the trees for wood in Khejarli village. As a symbol of protest, Amrita
Devi stood against the soldiers and fought for the life of trees by clinging onto
them Her three daughters, Asu, Ratni, and Bhagu also stood by their mother.
Supporting them, the other people of this community also stood up for the trees
and wrapped their arms around the trunks.
The soldiers continued to axe the trees down, without paying heed to the requests of the
people. The prime reason behind opposing tree cutting was embedded in the cultural
belief of the Bishnoi community as described in the principles of their sect, advocating
the protection of trees and wildlife conservation. Another reason was immediately
related to their rural livelihood, as they depended on the forest for the supply of fuelwood
and fodder. Bishnoi from Khejarli and other villages came to join this agitation and
hugged the Khejri trees one by one to protect trees being cut at the cost of their head. In
this movement, 363 Bishnois laid down their lives for the protection of Khejri trees in the
Khejarli village of Rajasthan. This movement has left an indelible mark on the memories
and a long-lasting effect on the psyche of the people. THE SUCCESS OF BISHNOI
MOVEMENT
 After this incident, the maharaja gave a strong royal decree preventing the cutting of
trees in all Bishnoi villages.
 The concept of tree-hugging and tree huggers has roots in the history of Bishnoism
in the year of 1730 A.D.
 This movement and sacrifice not only inspired the Chipko Movement in the 20th
Century which was led by Sunder Lal Bahuguna but also the Government of India in
the form of the “Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award” and Government of
Rajasthan in the form of “Amrita Devi Bishnoi Smrithi Paryavaran Award” for
contributing to the protection of wildlife and environment conservation respectively.

2. NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN (NBA) :-

The NBA was lead by MEDHA PATKAR and BABA AMTE .It is an Indian social movement by native farmers , environmentalists
andhuman rights activists.It includes hunger strikes , rallies, notable films, and art personalities.

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT:-

After the independence in 1947, a tribunal group decided to built 30 major,135 medium and 3000 small dams including
raising the height of the sardar sarovar Dam over Narmada river which flows into Arabian sea after passing through the
states of MP and Gujrat.But there was no declaration Resettlement and Rehabilitation(R&R) about the villagers and poor
those who were affected by the such dams. Hence no compensation and information were given to them , they don`t even
have informed.When MEDHA came to knew about this she decided to appeal on the court in 1969, after 10 year of waiting
court on 1979 decided to turn out the hearing. The tribunal have no legal plan regarding the project then also the world bank
is providing them funds to build the dam.After the MEDHA filed petition against world bank at WASHINGTON DC , they
 ordered the proper R&R of every villagers and planning to tribunal for the loan to be accessed.PATKAR took up many rallies
and fasting over the narmada andolan in 1993. But soon the construction over the river begins.

DECISION AND CRITICISM:-

 MEDHA PATKAR continues to fight for the rehabilitation of displaced people.

 The Indian government cost argued that the cost of displacement are outweighedby the benefit
derived from the narmada project.
 Dam includes the benefits of drinking water ,power generation and irrigation facility. It also
provides agriculture facilities for the millions of farmars.
 The NBA has been accused of lying under oath in the court about the land ownership in areas
affected by the dams.
 The supreme court has mulled perjury charges against the groups .

THE SARDAR SAROVAR DAM CONSTRUCTION BEGAN IN 1999 AND WAS

DECLARED FINISHED IN 2006IT WAS INAUGURATED IN 2017 BY PRIME MINISTER
NARENDRA KUMAR MODI.
 3. SILENT VALLEY MOMENT:-
Silent Valley Movement was a movement against the state
to protect Silent valley, an evergreen tropical forest in the Palakkad
district of Kerala, India. It was started in 1973 to save the Silent Valley
Reserve Forest from being flooded by a hydroelectric project.

History -:

The British named the area ‘Silent Valley’ because of a perceived absence of noisy Cicadas.
The Kuntipuzha is a major river that flows 15 km southwest from Silent Valley. In 1928, the location
on the Kunthipuzha River at Sairandhri was identified as an ideal site for electricity generation.
Initially, the decision was made by the British government to build a dam across the river, which
originates from the forest. In 1958, a study and survey of the area were conducted, and a
hydroelectric project was proposed by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). The plans for a
hydroelectric project that threatened the park’s high diversity of wildlife stimulated an
Environmentalist Social Movement in the 1970s called ‘Save Silent Valley’ which resulted in the
cancellation of the project.

Significance of Silent Valley-:

The valley is famous for many rare species of birds and animals. Birdlife International listed 16 bird
species in Silent Valley as threatened or restricted. The mammals in the valley include Gaur, the
largest of all wild cattle. There are at least 34 species of mammals at Silent Valley, including the
threatened species of mammals.

About the Movement-;

The movement was first initiated by the local people and was subsequently taken over by the
Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP).The KSSP generated public opinion against the project.
In 1983, the Central Government instructed the State government to abandon the Project
and on November 15.
the Silent Valley forests were declared as a National Park. On September 7, 1985, the Silent
Valley National Park was formally inaugurated. On September 1, 1986, Silent Valley National
Park was designated as the core area of the Nailgiri Biosphere Reserve.
 4. CHIPKO MOMENT:-

INTRODUCTION:
 It was primarily a forest conservation movement. It inspired many
eco-groups by helping slow down rapid deforestation.
 It created a precedent for non-violent protest started in India. It
stirred up the civil society in India to address the issue of tribal people.
It was started in 1970 aimed to protect trees.
 It was started in the northern Himalayan segment. The word
‘Chipko’ referred to ‘stick’ or ‘the hug’ . The word came from a word
meaning ‘embrace’.
 The main objective of this movement was to ensure an ecological
balance.

CAUSE OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT:-

 In Uttarakhand during the 20th century large scale deforestation brought a lot of
hardship to common people.
 Problems arose due to inefficient policies of the government. Lack of
environmental and ecological awareness in society. People gave up on
keeping large livestock.
RISE OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT:-
 On march 26, 1974 in the absence of men of Reni village, and DGSS workers, lumbers ,
labourers arrived by the truck load to start logging operation.
 Gaura devi along with 27 of village women confronted the loggers. Loggers threatened
them. Women held bravely and hugged the trees.
 Next day the movement spread to the neighbouring eventually, only after few hours stand-
off the contractors left. Women were the backbone of chipko movement.
 The movement also caught fire in Bihar , Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka.

AIM OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT:-

To save the trees in that area because the forest is the main source of livelihood in tribal areas.
To maintain the ecological balance of that area.
FOUNDER OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT:-
 Sundar Lal Bhaguna (environmentalist).
 Enlightened the country and the world about the movement, it’s success
and it’s impact.
 Padmabhusan winner for his contribution in the movement.
WOMEN’S ROLE IN CHIPKO MOVEMENT:-
In the case of women’s role in chipko movement is used to describe
the movement because local village women literally hugged trees,
interposing their bodies between the trees and the loggers to prevent
them being cut down.
SUCCESS OF CHIPKO MOVEMENT:-
 The movement has spread to many states in the country. It stopped the felling of
trees in the western ghats and Vindhayas. Generated pressure for the
formulation of natural resource policy.
 Achieved a major victory in 1980 with a 15 year ban in green felling in the
Himalayan forests.
 More than 1,00,000 trees were saved from excavation.

And the presentation ends here.

Thank you for giving us the chance to
represent our work!