MAN OF THE TREES – NO MORE – NATURE WEPT AT PASSING OF TREE-HUGGER ON MAY 21, 2021
Sundarlal Bahuguna – Tree Hugger – Chipko (Meaning - Embrace) Movement Leader – aged 94 – died of Covid-19 on May 21, 2021. In the thick of his movement to protect the Himalayan forests and to protect Tehri Dam, His was the voice of nature. His following poem would speak volumes about his mission to love and to live with nature - a shift from ego-centric thinking and living to eco-centric thinking and living. Ego-centrism, as per his vision, leads to greed, consumerism and stealing from others - while Eco-centrism leads to caring, sharing and not stealing from others. His poem: Politicians have loudspeakers. But who will speak for the tree that will be cut? Who will protect the mountains? It is now time to hear the voice of the tree being cut, The voice of the river, The scream of the mountain that is sliding. He was inspired by Vinoba Bhave and Gandhi’s disciples Mira Behn. Three “S” of Gandhian principles – Swaraj or Self rule or self-organisation, Swedeshi or self-reliance or rel