Globally, Chipko and anti Dam famed environmentalist Padma Vibhushan Sunder Lal Bahuguna breathed his last at AIIMS Rishikesh after battling for life for several days succumbing to Covid 19. There is a shock wave in entire Uttarakhand and globally amongst the environmentalists n his thousands of followers. A Gandhian environmentalist throughout his life Sunder Lal Bahuguna dedicated his entire life for environmental protection though fighting against the Tehri Kingdom n the neo colonialist British rule as a freedom fighter during his youthful days.
Taking the Chipko movement started by Gaurav Devi, Bachni Devi and Sudesha Devi on his wife Vimla Devi’s directions in 1974 at Raini village, Garhwal to international heights making it globally popular Sunder Lal Bahuguna became the architect of deforestation and environment conservation worldwide.
Recipients of several prestigious national and international recognitions mainly Padma Shree n Padmavibhushan, international lively hood Award and Jamuna lal Award, 94 years old illustrious environmentalist Bahuguna battled for life during his last few days being admitted at ICU AIIMS, Rishikesh suffering from Covid 19 related complications, bidding final adieu to one and all after his outstanding protracted contribution to Uttarakhand, country and the world mobilising everyone against deforestation, protection of environment and the Himalayas.
His 45 days anti Tehri Dam hunger strike was called off after the personal intervention of then prime minister P. V. Narsimha Rao after his demand for a review committee on the ecological implications was fulfilled in 1995. However, not satisfied with the delay tactics of the union govt. , Bahuguna again went on 74 hunger strike at Raj Ghat compelling the then PM HD Deve Gowda to give him a written assurance for reviewing the Tehri Dam Project n withdrawing the fast.
Finally the Tehri Dam case went to Supreme Court which took a decade, resulting in resumption of the Tehri Dam work in 2001 and subsequent arrest of the protesting Sarvodaya leader in the month of April. Eminent environmentalist Sunder Lal Bahuguna opposing the Tehri Dam tooth and nail finally compelling the govt to reduce the height of the dam when his demand for revocation of the central government’s decision not to construct the dam was not met used to say that Uttar Pradesh till Meerut will be inundated completely in just half and hour if the Dam breaks.
He undertook 5000 kilometres of foot journey mobilising people at the pan India level against deforestation and environmental protection finally getting written assurance from the then PM Indira Gandhi stopping cutting of trees for 15 long years.
My sincere heartfelt tributes to the environmental legend of the globe who started from the scratch and attained unbelievable heights earning laurels for the nation and globally.
Former Member of Uttarakhand Public Service Commission K. R. Arya while paying his deepest condolences to the bereaved family wrote : Sunderlal Bahuguna was a great architect of his time. With the issue and concern about environment, he raised, in all Hilly states, made him a great iconic figure of our time. His timely efforts along with Chipko founder Gaura Devi as well, immensely benefited us with high degree of awareness in restoring and saving fragile Himalayas. We can’t simply forget it. However, we regret our inability to learn a lesson from their experience n contributions despite, having learnt a lot about the worst consequences of it. As a result we are facing frequent natural calamity of highest order to day.
We pray Almighty to rest his soul in eternal peace. n give strength to the family to get over this shock wrote K. R. Arya while paying tributes to this departed soul.
Prime minister Narendra Modi termed the passing away of Sunder Lal Bahuguna as a monumental loss for the nation. While paying his respectful tributes to this iconic environmentalist prime minister Modi tweeted : Passing away of Sunderlal Bahuguna Ji is a great monumental loss for the nation. He menifested our centuries old ethos of living in harmony with nature. His simplicity and spirit of compassion will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with his family and many admirers tweeted PM Modi.
Om Shanti
