Social Movement - 2 | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Women in Politics or Politics ‘By’ Women

1. Telengana Movement: The Telengana movement saw significant participation from women who fought for land and eco-political rights. Despite being led by men, the movement's success can be attributed to the strong motivation from women. The movement began against the injustices of the British Raj in 1941 and continued until 1952.
2. Bodh Gaya Movement: The Bodh Gaya movement, which focused on land and livelihood rights, saw women forcibly acquiring 'patta' (land ownership documents) due to the lack of effort and resources from men. The success of this movement became an inspiration for other women-led efforts, although similar successes were rare in other cases.
3. Dalit Women's Movement: The Dalit Women's Movement was initiated by the self-taught Dalit couple – the Phules, in Maharashtra. They are considered one of the founders of the women's rights movement in the 19th century. The Janvadi Mahila Samiti is currently the strongest supporter of this movement. The need for a separate organization for Dalit women arose due to the double oppression they face from both Dalit men and non-Dalit women.
4. Adivasi Women's Movement: In the North Cachhar hills of Nagaland, Gudiallo, known as 'Rani,' became famous for her role in the civil disobedience movement. She led a 'no tax' campaign in 1931-32 after taking over the leadership from her cousin, who was hanged by the British Raj. The movement was one of many indigenous and spontaneous people's movements that were often disowned by mainstream nationalist politics.
5. Movement through Literature, Theatre, and other Forms of Expression: Women's contributions to their movement through literature, theatre, and other forms of expression have grown significantly in recent years. This resurgence comes after a period of reduced activity in the first few decades following India's independence. Women writers, like Arundhuti Roy, are now using their platforms to promote humanism and universal human rights, making men realize that women's good lies in the good of the entire humanity.

Environmental Movement

An environmental movement represents a societal and political initiative aimed at addressing environmental concerns and advocating for the safeguarding and conservation of our natural resources and ecosystems. These movements primarily center their efforts on issues like pollution of air and water, deforestation, climate change, and the preservation of wildlife.
They are motivated by the adverse effects of industrialization on both the environment and local communities. Environmental movements manifest in various forms, ranging from local grassroots community mobilization to global-scale campaigns and protests. These movements typically involve a diverse array of participants, including scientists, activists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community groups, and concerned individuals.
The overarching objectives of environmental movements include the promotion of sustainability, the protection of our environment and its resources, and the raising of awareness regarding the consequences of human activities on the planet. Moreover, environmental movements play a pivotal role in advocating for policy alterations, such as the implementation of more robust environmental safeguards and increased regulation of industries and businesses.

Major Environmental Movements in India

Environmental movements have proliferated across various regions of India, with a notable surge occurring, especially in the 1970s and beyond. Several significant environmental movements in India encompass:

1. Appiko Movement
The Appiko Movement, also referred to as 'South India's Chipko movement,' occurred in September 1983 in the Uttara Kannada and Shimoga districts of Karnataka with the goal of protecting the Kalsa forests.

• This environmental initiative, led by activist Panduranga Hegde and actively supported by women and youth from Saklani and nearby villages, derived its name from the Kannada word "Appiko," which means "hugging."
• The primary objective of the Appiko Movement was to halt the cutting of mature trees and preserve the Kalse forests.
• The movement persisted for a period of 38 days, ultimately compelling the state government to address the protesters' demands.
• Subsequently, the state government revoked the authorization for tree felling.
• The movement also emphasized reforestation efforts in deforested areas and advocated for the responsible utilization of the ecosystem by introducing alternative energy sources to reduce pressure on forests.
• The Appiko Movement effectively revived Gandhi's principles of protest and mobilization, aiming for a sustainable world where the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature is prioritized.

2. Bishnoi Movement
The Bishnoi Movement occurred in the 1730s in Khejarli village, Marwar region of Rajasthan, with the primary aim of safeguarding the revered khejri trees and serving as one of the earliest organized environmental conservation and wildlife protection movements in India.

• In 1730, King Abhay Singh of Jodhpur ordered his troops to cut down trees in Khejarli village for the construction of his royal palace.
• Amrita Devi, a local resident, was deeply disturbed by the destruction of the sacred trees associated with her community's faith and resorted to hugging the trees while encouraging others to do the same.
• Despite the soldiers' actions, over 300 Bishnoi community members sacrificed their lives to protect the trees.
• In response to this tragic event, the maharaja issued a firm royal decree prohibiting tree felling within all Bishnoi community territories.
• The Bishnoi Movement went on to serve as a source of inspiration for numerous subsequent environmental movements across India.

3. Silent Valley Movemen
The Silent Valley Movement occurred in the Palakkad district of Kerala in 1973 and aimed to protect the unique tropical evergreen forest ecosystem.

• Silent Valley is renowned for being the habitat of the critically endangered Lion-tailed Macaque, a primate exclusively found in the Western Ghats region of India.
• In 1929, the British government identified the Kunthipuzha River in Sairandhri as a suitable location for generating electricity through dam construction.
• The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) proposed a hydroelectric project in 1958, which received approval in 1973.
• The proposed hydroelectric project posed a significant threat to the park's diverse array of species, triggering the 'Save Silent Valley' movement in the 1970s.
• Initially initiated by local residents, the movement was later led by the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP), with the active involvement of numerous environmentalists.
• The movement succeeded in raising public awareness and ultimately led to the cancellation of the hydroelectric project.
• In response to the movement, the Kerala government enacted the Protection of Ecological Balance Act of 1979 to safeguard the Silent Valley Protection Area.

4. Chipko Movement

The Chipko Movement, occurring in April 1973, unfolded in the Chamoli district of the Garhwal division in Uttarakhand, India. The name "Chipko" derives from the Hindi word for "hugging," symbolizing the act of embracing trees to safeguard them from logging.

• This movement is celebrated as one of India's most renowned environmental campaigns and was rooted in non-violent protest principles inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
• Notable leaders of the Chipko Andolan included figures such as Chandi Prasad Bhatt, Sunderlal Bhauguna, Gaura Devi, Suraksha Devi, Sudesha Devi, Bachni Devi, and many others, involving both men and women in significant numbers.
• The movement's primary motivation stemmed from excessive deforestation, which had led to the devastating Alaknanda River floods in July 1970.
• The Chipko Movement gained both national and international recognition, highlighting the detrimental consequences of deforestation and commercial logging on the environment and local communities.
• The success of the Chipko Movement played a pivotal role in shaping environmental policies and laws in India, notably leading to the enactment of the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 and the formulation of the National Forest Policy of 1988.

5. Narmada Bachao Andolan

The Narmada Bachao Andolan took place in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra against the construction of large dams on the Narmada river in 1985.

• The Narmada river is the largest West flowing river which starts from Amarkantak, MP and flows through Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• The length of the Narmada river is approximately 1,312 km.
• The main leaders of the Narmada Bachao Andolan were Medha Patekar, Baba Amte and others.
• After independence, the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal approved the Narmada Valley Development Project, which includes 30 large dams, 135 medium dams, and 3,000 small dams.
• In 1987, the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat started but there was no arrangement for the rehabilitation of local villagers.
• In May 1990, the Narmada Bachao Andolan organized a 2,000-person, five-day protest outside Prime Minister V. P. Singh's residence in New Delhi to convince him to reconsider the project.
• Over 6000 men and women began the Narmada Jan Vikas Sangharsh Yatra (Narmada People's Progress Struggle March) in December 1990, marching over 100 kilometres.
• The protestants used various tactics, including non-violent protests, hunger strikes, and legal battles, to draw attention to the negative impacts of the dam projects on the environment and the local communities. 

6. Jungle Bachao Andolan

The Jungle Bachao Andolan, or Save Forests Movement, occurred during the 1980s in the Singhbhum District, which is now part of Jharkhand. The movement aimed to oppose the government's plan of replacing native Sal forests with commercial teak plantations.

• The primary impact of this decision was on the indigenous tribal community, particularly the Adivasis, as it infringed upon their rights and livelihoods in the region.
• The Jungle Bachao Andolan had various versions and found support in multiple locations, including Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
• The movement garnered widespread public and media support in Bihar and other regions of India, drawing attention to the cause.
• It played a crucial role in influencing the development of environmental policies and laws within the state.
• The success of the Jungle Bachao Andolan served as an inspiration for numerous similar movements across India, marking it as a significant milestone in the history of environmentalism and community activism in the country.

Environmental Movements in India - Quick Facts & Overview

Cause of Environmental Movements in India

• Developmental Projects: India's rapid development has led to projects like dam construction, mining, industrialization, and urbanization, causing deforestation, indigenous community displacement, and environmental degradation.
• Pollution: India's industrial growth, urbanization, and fossil fuel use have made it one of the most polluted countries globally. Air, water, and land pollution have health consequences and ecological imbalances.
• Biodiversity Loss: India hosts rich biodiversity, but habitat loss from human activities like deforestation, mining, and urbanization has reduced many species.
• Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous communities, with centuries of sustainable living, lead numerous Indian environmental movements. Modernization and development projects threaten their traditional knowledge and practices, harming the environment and causing community displacement.
• Environmental Awareness: Raising awareness about environmental issues is a common goal of these movements, educating the public about the importance of conservation.
• False Developmental Policies: Some movements emerge as a response to misguided government developmental policies that prioritize short-term gains over long-term environmental sustainability.