What is meant by Chipko Movement? When did it start and where? What is the Significance of this movement in the conservation of the environment?
OR
‘Towards the end of the 1980s, five major changes took place in Indian political system.’ In the light of this statement, examine any three changes.
Chipko movement was a protest movement which used a novel tactic of hugging the trees to prevent them from being cut down.
It started in early 1973 in Uttarakhand.
The movement achieved a victory when the goverment issued a ban on felling of trees in the Himalayan regions for fifteen years, until the green cover was fully restored.
OR
The major changes took place in Indian political system are:
(i) Rise of Mandal Issue-The Mandal Issue started with the National Front Government’s decision to implement the recommendation of Mandal Commission that jobs in the Central government should be reserved for OBCs.This led to violent anti Mandal protests in different parts of the county.
(ii) New Economic Policy-This is known as the initiation of the structural adjustment programmes. Started by Rajiv Gandhi, these changes first become visible in 1991 and radically changed the direction that the Indian economy had pursued since independence.
(iii) Demolition of Babri Masjid or Ayodhya dispute-Ayodhya dispute started with the demolition of the disputed structure of Babri Masjid at Ayodhya in December 1992. This event symbolised and triggered various changes in politics of the country and intensified debate about the nature of Indian nationalism and secularism.