- a.Feminist Movement
- b.Tribal Movement
- c.Political Movement
- d.Caste Movement
Answer: (A) Feminist Movement
The Chipko ('hug the trees') movement began in 1973 at Mandal in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand (then in Uttar Pradesh), led by Chandi Prasad Bhatt and later Sunderlal Bahuguna; in 1974 Gaura Devi and the women of Reni village hugged trees to stop the contractors. Because village women were its backbone, it is often described as an eco-feminist movement, which is why PSC's key gives 'Feminist Movement'. It was not a tribal, party-political or caste movement. It inspired the Appiko movement in Karnataka (1983); its forerunner was the Bishnoi sacrifice at Khejarli (1730) led by Amrita Devi. Chipko is most commonly classified as an environmental (forest conservation) movement, which is not among the options; PSC's final key confirms (A) 'Feminist Movement', evidently on the strength of its women-led, eco-feminist character.