Garhwal Post Bureau
New Delhi, 2 Dec: BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt has urged the Centre to confer the Bharat Ratna posthumously on Gaura Devi, the inspiration behind the historic Chipko Movement. Recalling her contribution during the Winter Session of Parliament, he recited the resonant lines, “Chipka dalthu par na kanten daywa, pahadon ki sampatti ab na lootan daywa,” to highlight her unmatched role in protecting the Himalayan environment.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, today, Bhatt noted that Gaura Devi, a resident of Reni village in Chamoli district, led the women-driven movement that began on 26 March 1970 when contractors attempted large-scale felling of trees. Under her leadership, local women embraced the trees, declaring they should be felled only after the women themselves. The movement echoed across India and compelled the then government to ban tree cutting in Himalayan states for 15 years.
Bhatt said Gaura Devi’s legacy continues to inspire environmental conservation efforts and merits recognition with the nation’s highest civilian honour.
