Chipko Movement Revived As U'Khand Women Hug Trees To Stop Felling

The decades-old Chipko Movement has made a resurgence in Uttarakhand as Bageshwar district's Jakhni village women hugged trees to obstruct their felling. Reportedly, forest department has proposed the axing of matured trees like Banj Oak and rhododendron for a road's construction. Although the forest administration proposed to fell only 43 trees, the residents opposing the move have warned of committing suicide and called for demonstrations. They cited livelihood and biodiversity threats as reasons to protest.