Chipko movement

On May 30, 1968 a large number of tribal men and women joined the Chipko struggle.
They resisted the affluent contractors and the industrialists in their act of plundering
the forests. Historic marches against the indiscriminate looting of forests were
organized in Uttarkashi and Gopeswar on December 12 and 15 in 1972.
In April 1973, when there was an attempt to fell the trees on a dark night, the tribal
women resisted by embracing the trees like their own children.
On 1st February 1978, the contractor who bought the forest on auction came forward
with two contingents of armed police to take up possession. The poor tribal were
allured and tempted in various ways. Nevertheless, each tree was being guarded by a
set of three women clinging to it. The contractor and the armed police were forced to
retreat.
The assaults, however, continued and in fact were getting intensified. Sundarlal
Bahuguna joined the fasting. Bahuguna was arrested on the eleventh day. Thousands
of people rushed in on getting the news. The police force was compelled to retreat.