Abstract
As the ecological crisis has deepened, the importance of ecological movements has obviously increased. Hence, this book which examines several aspects of ecological movements in the context of six specific ecological movements is welcome. These six movements include three famous movements from India, namely, the Chipko Movement, Silent Valley Movement and Save Narmada Movement. In addition, three other well-known movements from other countries are covered in this book––the anti-Chico Dam Movement in the Philippines, the Sarawak Movement in Malaysia and the Amazonia Rubber Tappers’ Movement in Brazil.
On the whole, this volume is useful for understanding these movements and the wider context of ecological movements. However, if each of these movements had been presented with continuity by devoting one detailed chapter to each movement then the reading would have been easier and understanding would have been better. Perhaps the author can consider this suggestion for the volume’s next edition.
Second, some important aspects have been either left out or else have not received the detailed attention that was needed. For example, in the case of the Chipko Movement, the later phase in Hemvalghati and Badiyargad certainly needed more coverage. There were a lot of related developments in the region where the Chipko Movement took place, such as the anti-Tehri Dam Movement and the subsequent movements against some other dam projects with which the Chipko story is also connected. Then, in the later phase in the same region (sometimes involving the same activists) there have been movements such as Beej Bachao Andolan or Save the Seeds Movement. There were some very important and courageous initiatives like the Kashmir to Kohima footmarch taken up by Sunderlal Bahuguna and his close associates which deserve more attention. There was also the very interesting and inspiring spread of the Appiko movement in parts of Karnataka and Kerala inspired by the Himalayan Chipko movement which is of great significance.
Some of these very inspiring as well as significant aspects have not received proper attention as also an appreciation in some of the earlier narratives about the Chipko Movement. I hope that the author will try to include these neglected aspects in the next edition of this book. Having worked closely with various activists like Vimla and Sundarlal Bahuguna, Kunwar Prasun, Dhum Singh Negi, Pandurang Hegde and Sudesha Devi, I feel very concerned that whatever the reason the researchers have not adequately registered the importance of their work. Kunwar Prasun, who devoted his life entirely not just to protecting trees but also to linking the ecological movement with social justice by consistently taking up issues related to dalits was the most courageous activist of this area who lived and died for justice. I have seen him spend the most bitter cold nights in Himalayan forests with a smile on his face. He never sought publicity, instead he always understated his great work but does this mean that researchers should ignore him?
The special importance of Kunwar Prasun was that he was as deeply committed to justice and equality issues as he was to the protection of the environment. This importance of the need to link justice and environment protection issues has also been emphasised in the work of the great trade union leader Shankar Guha Niyogi.
In his book, the author, Subhash Sharma certainly reveals his recognition of the importance of this linkage but he falls short of exploring the many dimensions of this issue in greater detail. A few errors also need to be corrected; for example, the name of such a famous writer as Jeremy Seabrook has been wrongly printed as I. Seabrook on page 227.
In particular, there is a great urgency of exploring this linkage in the current context of climate change and related issues, which are fast emerging as perhaps the most biggest danger to life on earth. This book very briefly takes note of how the importance of redistribution of resources in favour of the deprived sections has increased greatly in the context of the challenge of climate change, but despite the great importance of this issue this aspect has not been taken up for detailed analysis. It is this context that one feels that the book or at least its concluding sections need to be better updated to incorporate some important, urgent and emerging concerns.
The ecological crisis is fast taking the form of a survival crisis and there is a great urgency for taking up tasks like integrating plans for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to meet the basic needs of all people. As soon as such an exercise is taken up, the urgent need for redistribution of resources in favour of the poor will become evident. Hence, given the grim reality of this survival crisis, the need for socialism is greater than before. And since the present leadership of the world does not show any signs of recognising this reality, the role of people’s movements and ecological movements is now becoming very important. It is in this larger context that some of the issues posed by the author of this useful and informative book should be seen.