Garhwal Post Bureu
CHAMOLI, 25 Oct: The Department of Posts, Uttarakhand, on Saturday released a specialised My Stamp and a commemorative cover in Reni village, Joshimath, Chamoli, to mark the birth centenary of Gaura Devi, a pioneer of the Chipko Movement and an enduring symbol of environmental conservation. Born in 1925 in Lata village near Joshimath, Gaura Devi later became a resident of Reni village after her marriage. In March 1974, under her leadership, the women of Reni and Lata villages courageously embraced the trees near their village to prevent contractors from felling them. These forests, now part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, were considered sacred and maternal by the local women.
Faced with the unwavering resolve of the women, the contractors were compelled to retreat, and the forest, regarded by the women as their “maika” or maternal home, was saved. Under Gaura Devi’s leadership, the Chipko Movement emerged as a powerful symbol of women’s ecological consciousness in the Himalayan region, promoting environmental justice and the right to livelihood rooted in rural life. The movement not only transformed local conservation efforts but also inspired environmental campaigns across the globe and provided a new direction to grassroots activism.
The centenary celebrations were attended by several dignitaries, including Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, Badrinath MLA Lakhpat Butola, son of Gaura Devi Chandra Singh Rana, Chief Post Master General of Uttarakhand Circle Shashi Shalini Kujur, Director of Postal Services Uttarakhand Circle Ansuya Prasad, PCCF Ranjan Kumar Mishra, and Pankaj Kumar, Director of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
