APPIKO MOVEMENT

 

Fig.: Appiko Movement

The Appiko movement was a forest conservation movement in India that started in the 1980s. The movement was similar to the Chipko movement, which also involved people hugging trees to prevent them from being cut down by loggers. The Appiko movement was mainly active in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, where the natural forests were threatened by monoculture plantations of teak and eucalyptus. The movement was founded and led by environmental activist Panduranga Hegde, who was inspired by Sundarlal Bahuguna, a leader of the Chipko movement.

 The aim of the movement was to protect the biodiversity and livelihoods of the local communities that depended on the forests. 

The Appiko movement succeeded in achieving some of its objectives, such as: 

• Stopping the felling of green trees in some areas and forcing the government to withdraw the logging contracts. 
• Promoting afforestation and reforestation activities on degraded lands and involving local people in planting and nurturing native species. 
• Raising awareness and education about the ecological and social importance of forests and the need for sustainable forest management practices. 
• Influencing the forest policies and laws at the national and state levels and advocating for the rights and participation of local communities in forest governance.

The Appiko movement is an example of how grassroots movements can make a difference by using non-violent and participatory methods to conserve nature and empower people. The movement also shows how women can play a vital role in environmental movements and leadership. The Appiko movement is a legacy of courage, compassion, and wisdom that inspires many people today.