Birthday Special: Padmashree Award was not returned, she had not accepted it…

Report: Kuldeep Rawat

Eminent environmentalist Padmavibhushan Sundarlal Bahuguna has entered the 94th year of his age. Bahuguna, who has reached the last stage of his age, has also become physically very weak, his eyesight is also blurred and now he talks in a very low and slow voice. However, as soon as the environment is mentioned, the old glow in their eyes returns and Juban also intensifies. Sunderlal Bahuguna, who was the pioneer of the world-famous movement like Chipko, does not forget to repeat his words’ What are the benefits of the forest, soil, water, and wind. Soil, water and air, the basis of survival ‘.

A life devoted to environmental protection…

Born on 9 January 1927 in Silyara village of Tehri Garhwal, everyone will remember this story of Sundarlal Bahuguna’s life devoted to environmental protection, but very few people will know that he once fought for the independence of the country and was an active worker of Congress. However, after independence, he gave up political life and made social service his next goal. From the Bhoodan movement to the upliftment of Dalits, he also played an active role in the anti-liquor movement. Apart from this, due to their long struggle against the Tehri Dam, the Central Government made many reforms in the rehabilitation policy.

Message to save the environment…

Sundarlal Bahuguna undertook a journey of about 5000 km from Langra village in Chamba to the Himalayan region, carrying the message of saving the environment between 1981 and 1983. The journey made headlines globally in 1983.

Sunderlal Bahuguna was born on 9 January…

Sunderlal Bahuguna was born on 9 January 1927 in Silyara village of Tehri district of Uttarakhand. After primary education, he moved to Lahore and from there he did his Bachelor of Arts. With the support of his wife Vimala Nautiyal, he also established the ‘Hill Navajivan Mandal’ in Sillara itself. After coming in contact with Meeraben and Thakkar Bappa in 1949, they tried to uplift the Dalit students and also established the Thakkar Bappa Hostel in Tehri. He launched a movement to give Dalits the right to enter the temple. He established the ‘Hill Navajivan Mandal’ in Silagra itself. In 1971, Sundarlal Bahuguna undertook a fast for 16 days. Due to the Chipko movement, he became famous worldwide as Vrikshamitra.

In 1981 as international recognition…

Influenced by Bahuguna’s work, he was rewarded in 1980 by America’s Friend of Nature. Apart from this, he was honored with many awards. This great man, who considered the environment as a permanent asset, became ‘Environment Gandhi’. Stockholm received the Alternative Nobel Prize in 1981 as international recognition.

I do not consider myself worthy of this honor…

Sunderlal Bahuguna was given the Padma Shri award in 1981, which he did not accept, saying that as long as the cutting of trees continues, I do not consider myself worthy of this honor.

Awards have been made for these awards…

• Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 1985.
• Jamnalal Bajaj Award (Sun for creative work) in 1986.
• Right Livelihood Award (Chipko Movement) in 1987.
• Sher-e-Kashmir Award in 1987.
• Saraswati Award in 1987.
• 1989 Honorary title of Doctor of Social Sciences by IIT Roorkee.
• Initiative Honor in 1998.
• Gandhi Service Award in 1999.
• Satyapal Mittal Award in 2000 by the Forum of MPs.
• In 2001, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan.

Sunder Lal Bahuguna revolutionized the Chipko movement…

On March 26, 2018, the 45th anniversary of the Chipko movement was celebrated. The Google Doodle of 26 March has been created with the title of the 45th Anniversary of the Chipko Movement to commemorate the ‘Chipko movement’ associated with saving trees and the environment. The Chipko movement was started by farmers to protest against the felling of trees in Uttarakhand (erstwhile UP). He was expressing anger at the trees cut by the hands of contractors of the state forest department and staking his claim on them. The movement started in 1973 in the Chamoli district. It reached every area of ​​Uttarakhand within a decade. Sunderlal Bahuguna also jumped in this movement. People used to stick to trees under this movement and save them from being cut down. Sunderlal Bahuguna is also called Vrikshamitra for this reason.