In September of 1983 villagers and local governments in North Canara district of Karnataka created a history. They took out a 8 km long protest march to protest against tree cutting in the dens gree jungles surrounding their area. Men-women-children, people from all classes and strata followed this march me covering the jungles and prevented tree cutting. At times they hugged the trees to protect those from being cut. This was going on for three months.
Then the agiatation spread to South Canara, Chikmangaloor and Shimoga districts too. In 1950 82% of this area was under forest cover. This is also one of the 16 Bio-diversity Hotspots in the world.
Their movement is called Appiko (अप्पिको ). These activists say that they are not against developement. Developement and protection of forests go hand in hand. Earnings can be generated even without cutting trees.
Veteran activists say they are feeling the pressures of commercialization. Youngsters riding on the wave of globalistion do not realize the importance social needs. But the activists are deermined to carry forward the cause they have initiated their work for.
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