Chipko Movement: An Ecofeminist Analysis

This paper examines the Chipko Movement in Uttarakhand, India, from the perspective of ecofeminism. It seeks to analyse the connection between gender, environmental resistance, and community survival. Women in this significant 1970s environmental movement took the lead in organising, opposing, and rethinking development in a way that went against both profit-driven and patriarchal structures. By tracing the movement’s historical roots, from the Bishnoi sacrifice in the 18th century to the Reni women’s embrace of non-violent protest, this study illustrates how gender and ecology intertwine in acts of resistance. The study also addresses critical viewpoints that challenge ecofeminist interpretations of the Chipko movement, recognising the intricacy of representation and leadership within it. In the end, it makes the case that Chipko was a message about justice, resiliency, and the necessity of inclusive development strategies rather than merely an environmental protest.