The intuitive learners of Stage 4 were in for a surprise when they were asked to research and then prepare a poster on “The Chipko Movement” as a part of their Science curriculum. Not only did they realise that this movement was spearheaded by common villagers, mostly women, but they were also amazed to know that the villagers hugged the trees in their forest , thus protecting them from being chopped. The word ‘Chipko’ literally means – to hug and that is what these village women did-they hugged the trees tightly not allowing them to be cut down and thus creating history in forest conservation. This was also a learning experience for the students as they realised conservation of ecology is a collective duty of citizens!
