The Chipko Movement in India was one of the most significant environmental movements of the 20th century, symbolizing the deep relationship between human communities and nature. Originating in the 1970s in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, then a part of Uttar Pradesh, it marked a turning point in India’s environmental consciousness and in the global understanding of grassroots ecological activism. The word “Chipko” literally means “to hug” or “to cling,” referring to the method adopted by the villagers who physically embraced trees to prevent them from being cut down by contractors. This simple yet powerful act of non-violent resistance became an enduring symbol of ecological protection and social justice. The origins of the Chipko Movement can be traced to the traditional forest-based livelihoods of Himalayan villagers. For centuries, local communities in Garhwal had depended on forests for fuel, fodder, food, and water conservation. However, the commercialization of forests during the colonial period and continued after independence created severe ecological imbalances. Forests were increasingly leased to outside contractors for timber extraction, while