The Chipko movement, which began in Uttarakhand (Chamoli Gopeshwar) in early 1973, marks its 50th anniversary.
It involved villagers, particularly women, protesting against deforestation and commercial logging by hugging trees to prevent their felling.
The movement was named Chipko, which means "to hug" in Hindi.
Environmental activists like Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt played instrumental roles in mobilizing local communities and garnering national and international support for the movement.
This anniversary serves as a reminder of the power of ordinary citizens to effect change and inspires ongoing environmental movements worldwide.