While each of these movements has slightly different contexts, they are
essentially demanding the rights of the local communities over the environment.
Chipko movement acted to prevent the cutting of trees and reclaim their traditional
forest rights that were threatened by contractors. Narmada Bachao Andolan has
stood for the rights of the people over land, forests and river.
You have read about the protests against the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in
the chapter on Ideas on Development. Can you interpret the protest in view of
what you have read here?
“Environment protection is not just crucial for those communities directly
affected but for all of us.” Explain with a few examples.
Read the class VIII chapters on Minerals & Mining. What issues of conflict
emerge between industrialists and people living in mining areas?
There has been rapid increase in the extraction of minerals for domestic use and
for exports to other countries since liberalisation and globalisation of Indian economy. Using figures from the table on the right, substantiate the observation.
What do you think would be the environmental and human costs of such rapid growth in mining?
