{"id":240,"date":"2019-03-27T05:12:22","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T05:12:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/antp11.epgpbooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/?post_type=chapter&p=240"},"modified":"2019-03-27T05:22:07","modified_gmt":"2019-03-27T05:22:07","slug":"environmental-protest-movements-and-activism","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/antp11\/chapter\/environmental-protest-movements-and-activism\/","title":{"rendered":"Environmental Protest, Movements and Activism"},"content":{"raw":"
\"epgp<\/a>\r\n<\/span><\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nContents:<\/strong>\r\n
\r\n\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 The Environmental Problems\r\n\r\nEnvironmental Movements\r\n\r\nThe Chipko Movement\r\n\r\nNarmada Bachao Andolan (NBA)\r\n\r\nSoil Conservation\r\n\r\nContour Ploughing\r\n\r\nTerrace Farming\r\n\r\nSummary\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nLearning Objectives:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n1.\u00a0 To understand the environmental problems.\r\n\r\n2.\u00a0 To understand the movements to safeguard the environment.\r\n\r\n3.\u00a0 To understand the the relation of the different methods of farming and its effect on the environment.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIntroduction<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n

We know that environment and humans have had a very intimate relationship since the beginning of time. But this is changing with the humans growing greedier on the resources that nature had to provide.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Activism is any action taken to create change. These can be focused on political, economic, social or environmental issues. There have been many attempts to safeguard the environment and create a balance between humans and the environment so that there continues to be a harmonious surrounding for not only the humans but other species may also continue to thrive.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

This has led to a number to a number of movements \u201cenvironmental movements\u201d in order to safeguard the environment around us.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

A better understanding of the health effects of environmental change is only just emerging; these are based on many things, partly based on observations of current health outcome, associations, partly on scenario analyses, and in both cases surrounded by considerable uncertainty. These health effects are mediated by a number of causal pathways, of which the most important probably are heat waves and other extreme weather events, changes in the spread of microorganisms, changes in biological productivity of land and water, and pollution of air and water.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Analyses of the population health effects of global warming suggest that global warming is already causing major health effects on all, mainly through heat related mortality and morbidity and climate induced changes in the incidence of infectious diseases. The largest part of this burden is shouldered by developing countries like Africa and South-East Asia and not by the countries in Western Europe and North America, which have historically contributed most to greenhouse gas emissions. (Mackenbach 2007)<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

A quarter of the Earth's terrestrial surface is now used for human purposes, and deforestation, irrigation and other land use changes are often associated with changes in the spread of\u00a0<\/span>microorganisms. Erosion, desertification and salinization of fertile soils threaten the food production necessary for a rapidly increasing world population, of which a large part is already malnourished. Humans use freshwater for irrigation, drinking and household purposes exceeding the available supplies and therefore requires withdrawal from groundwater stocks. Many populations already experience freshwater shortages, and the supply of safe water is further threatened by chemical pollution which has almost reached the ends of the Earth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Destruction of the habitats of other species, introduction of invasive species, pollution of air, water and soil, and over harvesting by hunting and fishing have led to a massive extinction of plant and animal species. Biodiversity losses may indirectly threaten human health.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Although some of the postulated health effects can already be empirically observed in some populations, most are conjectures with varying degrees of statistical certainty, theoretical justification and dependence on intervening developments. Unfortunately, health care has made, and is still making, major contributions to these global environmental changes. Hospitals consume large amounts of energy, water and materials, and hospital waste con tributes substantially to air, water and soil pollution. A striking illustration is that medical care (e.g. broken thermometers) is responsible for most of the mercury emissions into the environment.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

We are also become aware of the fact that the successful promotion of population health has contributed importantly to the rise inhuman population numbers, and all the environmental pressures this has generated. This rise has occurred in three great waves, of which the third took place around the middle of the 20th century. This was largely due to public health measures, such as improved water supply and waste removal, insect control, vaccinations and antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS<\/span><\/p>\r\n

THE CHIPKO MOVEMENT<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The Chipko movement or chipko andolan, was primarily a forest conservation movement, which went on to become an important point for many future environmental contrast and movements all over the world and created a precedent of non-violent protest that started in India (Robbins 2004). This movement occurred at a time when there were less of environmental movement in the developing\u00a0<\/span>world, and the success of this movement meant that the world immediately took notice of this non-violent movement, which inspired many such eco-groups by helping to slow down the rapid deforestation, increase ecological awareness, and demonstrate the viability of people power that could save the environment.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n \r\n

Fig 1: Chipko Movement<\/p>\r\n

Source: indiatoday.intoday.in<\/p>\r\n \r\n

The first \u2018Forest Act\u2019 in India was enacted in 1927. Many provisions of that Act were inimical to the interests of the tribals and the common folk living in the forests. A big rally was held to protest against such issues at Tilari in 1930. The rally ended with the murder of 17 commoners by the Royal Army. In 1949, the Tehri Garhwal region constituting part of Uttar Pradesh was annexed to the Indian\u00a0federation. In remembrance of the 17 martyrs, May 30 is observed as the \u2018Forest Day\u2019 every year. The protests which occured in 1930 gradually developed into a strong movement during the early 1970s (Pitt 1988). This movement came to be known as the \u2018Chipko Movement\u2019. The word \u2018Chipko\u2019 means \u2018embracing\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

In 1961, Sarala Behn, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, took the initiative in forming the \u2018Uttarakhand Sarbodaya Mondal\u2019. People participating in constructive social work were getting involved in the struggle for protection of forests. On May 30, 1968 a large number of tribal men and women joined the Chipko struggle. They resisted the affluent contractors and the industrialists in their act of plundering the forests. Historic marches against the indiscriminate looting of forests were organized in Uttarkashi and Gopeswar on December 12 and 15 in 1972. (Haynes 2002)<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

In April 1973, when there was an attempt to fell the trees on a dark night, the tribal women resisted by embracing the trees like their own children. Women spent sleepless nights in guarding the trees. Some notable names of those who led the movement include, Sarala Behn, Mira Behn, Gopeswar, Sundarlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

In March 1974, 27 tribal women under the leadership of Gouri Devi guarded the trees for many nights at a stretch. The important call that the struggle raised was that the original species-diversity of the forests must be left undisturbed; women must have the right to collect fodder and fuelwood from the forests. It is so gratifying to note that it was the so-called illiterate tribal women who first came forward to demand the conservation of the environment. They did not demand the forests, but only urged for the natural growth and conservation of the forest resources.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Narmada Bachao Andolan <\/strong>(<\/span>NBA<\/strong>)<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Is a social movement consisting of the adivasis, farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against a number of large dams being built across the Narmada River, which flows through the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, all in India. Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat is one of the biggest dams on the river and was one of the first focal points of the movement.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Narmada Bachao Andolan is the most powerful mass movement which started in 1985, against the construction of huge dam on the Narmada River. Narmada is India's largest west flowing river, which supports a large variety of people with distinguished culture and tradition ranging from the indigenous (tribal) people inhabiting the jungles here to the large number of rural population. The proposed Sardar Sarovar Dam and Narmada Sagar would displace people who are residing on the banks of the river. The big fight was over the resettlement or the rehabilitation of these people. (<\/span>Fisher 1995)<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

Fig 2: Narmada Bachao Movement<\/p>\r\n

Source: https:en.wikipedia.org<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Led by one of the prominent leader Medha Patkar, it had been turned into International protest, gaining support from NGO's all around the globe. Protesters are agitating the issue through mass media, hunger strikes, massive marches, rallies and through the screening of several documentary films. Although they protested peacefully, they were being harassed, arrested and beaten up by the police several times. The Narmada Bachao Andolan had been pressurizing the World Bank to withdraw its loan for the project through media. (Fisher 1995)<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n

SOIL CONSERVATION<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Soil conservation is the best way to make sure that we have the land we need to live on. Erosion is the biggest enemy of soil and land conservation. Techniques for improved soil conservation include crop rotation, cover crops, conservation tillage and planted windbreaks that affect both soil erosion and fertility. When plants, especially trees, die, they decay and become part of the soil.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

CONTOUR PLOUGHING<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

It orients crop furrows following the contour lines of the farmed area. Contour ploughing is done at right angles to the hill slope, the ridges and furrows break the flow of water down the hill. Furrows move left and right to maintain a constant altitude, which reduces runoff. Contour ploughing was practiced by the ancient Phoenicians, and is effective for slopes between 2% and !0% Contour ploughing can increase crop yields from 10% to 50 %, partially as a result of greater soil retention.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n \r\n

Fig 3: CONTOUR PLOUGHING<\/p>\r\n

Source: https:\/\/ww.nrcs.usda.gov<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 TERRACE FARMING\r\n\r\n \r\n

Terrace farming is the practice of creating nearly levelled areas in a hillside area. The terraces form a series of steps, each at a higher level than the previous. Terraces are protected from erosion by other soil barriers.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Terraced farming is more common on small farms and in underdeveloped countries, since mechanized equipment is difficult to deploy in this setting.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

Fig 4: Terrace Farming<\/p>\r\n

Source: https:\/\/www.niftyhomestead.com<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Soil-conservation farming involves no-till farming, \u201cgreen manures\u201d and other soil-enhancing practices. Such farming methods attempt to mimic the biology of a virgin land. They can revive damaged soil, minimize erosion, encourage plant growth, eliminate the use of nitrogen fertilizer or fungicide, produce above-average yields and protect crops during droughts or flooding. The result is less labour and lower costs that increase farmers\u2019 profits. No-till farming and cover crops act as sinks for nitrogen and other nutrients. This increases the amount of soil organic matter.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Repeated ploughing\/tilling degrades soil, killing its beneficial fungi and earthworms. Once damaged, soil may take multiple seasons to fully recover, even in optimal circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Critics argue that no-till farming and related methods are impractical and too expensive for many growers, partly because it requires new equipment. They cite advantages for conventional tilling depending on the geography, crops and soil conditions. Some farmers claimed that no-till farming complicates weed control, delays planting and that post-harvest residues, especially for corn, are hard to manage.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Environmental issues are increasing day by day and we get to hear a lot of new type of problem upcoming in this day and age. We have depleted and overused the natural resources available to us so much that these poses a threat that the little of what remains of our treasures will not be sufficient to sustain our future generations. This has made some realize faster than the others who are yet to learn and to understand the increasing threat that we all face. We all tend to ignore the fact that one small step can lead to a whole lot of difference if made by many on a larger scale. Though late but we need to make ourselves more environment friendly, the sooner the better as time waits for non and the mistakes that we are so ignorantly making may not affect us but in the end it will be us who will have to pay for all that we have done.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
you can view video on Environmental Protest, Movements and Activism<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nReferences<\/strong>\r\n