Chipko takes rootAuthor Jeyanthi ManokaranIllustrator Jeyanthi Manokaran

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

High up in the branches of hertree Dichi plays on her dholak Herthree brothers clamber up thesame sturdy tree while their sheepjostle and bleat on the meadowbelow

ldquoDichirdquo echoes Dadarsquos voicethrough the chir pine deodar andash trees ldquoCome We must visit yourgrandmother across the riverBoys bring the sheep homesafelyrdquo

2

ldquoCanrsquot we come toordquo begs Shyam

ldquoNext timerdquo says Dada firmly ldquoDichi will stay on there to nurse Grandma She is very sick nowrdquo

3

Dada guides their mule throughknee-deep river water Nimble as amountain goat Dichi tucks herskirt to skip on the rocks Her toestingle in the chill waters until sheslips and tumbles in with a splash

ldquoCarefulrdquo warns Chacha who isfishing nearby

In a sudden surge the river swellsand roars about them in a furiousflash flood Chacha rushes over tograb Dichi by the arms

4

Her left leg is caught beneath a rolling boulder Dadarsquos figure is a blur ndash hisvoice muffled by the raging waters Caught in the current the mule swimsand staggers to the other side its burden toppled and swept away

Chacha can barely keep his balance in the deluge as he tries to extricateDichirsquos leg from below the obstinate rock Drenched in muddy water hemusters all his strength to yank Dichi out His powerful shoulders carry herback to Ma who crouches sobbing over her bedraggled daughter Sharpneedles of pain shoot up Dichirsquos left leg Enveloped by a fit of trembling shefaints

5

Leaving Dichi with her horrified Ma Chacha charges back for Dada ButDada never returns Cold fingers of fear clutch at Dichirsquos heart when theybring his body home from the river

Dichi hears of the sports goods company that felled their chir pine deodarand ash trees to make cricket bats and other sports stuff Why do they chopour forests Canrsquot they see the landslides thunder down the mountainsideThe fierce flash floods that carry away the poor folk Those floods took herDadaand the power in Dichirsquos left leg She now has no sensation in itbelow the knee

6

Can Dichi ever forget those icy river waters She still feels them block her ears leak into her nose blur her eyesand close over her head

7

But no Chacha says she must think of the goodthingsdwell on the positive Courage wells up with aglowing warmth that melts away her fears She stillhas Ma and her brothers Chacha and Chachi care forall of them They have no children of their own

Dichi loves her Chacha like her own Dada but is upsetwhen she overhears Chachi say to Ma ldquoYour brother isa good man But his gambling is a habit that can makeor break you ndash and now wersquore going downhillrdquo

lsquoChacha ndash a gambler Oh no It canrsquot be sorsquo

Days pass Dichi and her family fall into a newroutine

8

Dichi sits on her ash tree glancing down at the two rugged crutches that lieon the grass below Chacha made them for her from her mighty ash

ldquoMy branches are thin and fat long and shortrdquo whispers her ash ldquobut Irsquomstrongrdquo

Dichi climbs higher to peer into a birdrsquos nest She trails her fingers after arow of ants and sniffs the cool scent of ash leaves

lsquoYoursquore MY ash tree Chacha says Irsquom just like you sturdy as a yak Withthese crutches Irsquoll be strong and fierce as a Yetirsquo

9

10

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

High up in the branches of hertree Dichi plays on her dholak Herthree brothers clamber up thesame sturdy tree while their sheepjostle and bleat on the meadowbelow

ldquoDichirdquo echoes Dadarsquos voicethrough the chir pine deodar andash trees ldquoCome We must visit yourgrandmother across the riverBoys bring the sheep homesafelyrdquo

2

ldquoCanrsquot we come toordquo begs Shyam

ldquoNext timerdquo says Dada firmly ldquoDichi will stay on there to nurse Grandma She is very sick nowrdquo

3

Dada guides their mule throughknee-deep river water Nimble as amountain goat Dichi tucks herskirt to skip on the rocks Her toestingle in the chill waters until sheslips and tumbles in with a splash

ldquoCarefulrdquo warns Chacha who isfishing nearby

In a sudden surge the river swellsand roars about them in a furiousflash flood Chacha rushes over tograb Dichi by the arms

4

Her left leg is caught beneath a rolling boulder Dadarsquos figure is a blur ndash hisvoice muffled by the raging waters Caught in the current the mule swimsand staggers to the other side its burden toppled and swept away

Chacha can barely keep his balance in the deluge as he tries to extricateDichirsquos leg from below the obstinate rock Drenched in muddy water hemusters all his strength to yank Dichi out His powerful shoulders carry herback to Ma who crouches sobbing over her bedraggled daughter Sharpneedles of pain shoot up Dichirsquos left leg Enveloped by a fit of trembling shefaints

5

Leaving Dichi with her horrified Ma Chacha charges back for Dada ButDada never returns Cold fingers of fear clutch at Dichirsquos heart when theybring his body home from the river

Dichi hears of the sports goods company that felled their chir pine deodarand ash trees to make cricket bats and other sports stuff Why do they chopour forests Canrsquot they see the landslides thunder down the mountainsideThe fierce flash floods that carry away the poor folk Those floods took herDadaand the power in Dichirsquos left leg She now has no sensation in itbelow the knee

6

Can Dichi ever forget those icy river waters She still feels them block her ears leak into her nose blur her eyesand close over her head

7

But no Chacha says she must think of the goodthingsdwell on the positive Courage wells up with aglowing warmth that melts away her fears She stillhas Ma and her brothers Chacha and Chachi care forall of them They have no children of their own

Dichi loves her Chacha like her own Dada but is upsetwhen she overhears Chachi say to Ma ldquoYour brother isa good man But his gambling is a habit that can makeor break you ndash and now wersquore going downhillrdquo

lsquoChacha ndash a gambler Oh no It canrsquot be sorsquo

Days pass Dichi and her family fall into a newroutine

8

Dichi sits on her ash tree glancing down at the two rugged crutches that lieon the grass below Chacha made them for her from her mighty ash

ldquoMy branches are thin and fat long and shortrdquo whispers her ash ldquobut Irsquomstrongrdquo

Dichi climbs higher to peer into a birdrsquos nest She trails her fingers after arow of ants and sniffs the cool scent of ash leaves

lsquoYoursquore MY ash tree Chacha says Irsquom just like you sturdy as a yak Withthese crutches Irsquoll be strong and fierce as a Yetirsquo

9

10

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

ldquoCanrsquot we come toordquo begs Shyam

ldquoNext timerdquo says Dada firmly ldquoDichi will stay on there to nurse Grandma She is very sick nowrdquo

3

Dada guides their mule throughknee-deep river water Nimble as amountain goat Dichi tucks herskirt to skip on the rocks Her toestingle in the chill waters until sheslips and tumbles in with a splash

ldquoCarefulrdquo warns Chacha who isfishing nearby

In a sudden surge the river swellsand roars about them in a furiousflash flood Chacha rushes over tograb Dichi by the arms

4

Her left leg is caught beneath a rolling boulder Dadarsquos figure is a blur ndash hisvoice muffled by the raging waters Caught in the current the mule swimsand staggers to the other side its burden toppled and swept away

Chacha can barely keep his balance in the deluge as he tries to extricateDichirsquos leg from below the obstinate rock Drenched in muddy water hemusters all his strength to yank Dichi out His powerful shoulders carry herback to Ma who crouches sobbing over her bedraggled daughter Sharpneedles of pain shoot up Dichirsquos left leg Enveloped by a fit of trembling shefaints

5

Leaving Dichi with her horrified Ma Chacha charges back for Dada ButDada never returns Cold fingers of fear clutch at Dichirsquos heart when theybring his body home from the river

Dichi hears of the sports goods company that felled their chir pine deodarand ash trees to make cricket bats and other sports stuff Why do they chopour forests Canrsquot they see the landslides thunder down the mountainsideThe fierce flash floods that carry away the poor folk Those floods took herDadaand the power in Dichirsquos left leg She now has no sensation in itbelow the knee

6

Can Dichi ever forget those icy river waters She still feels them block her ears leak into her nose blur her eyesand close over her head

7

But no Chacha says she must think of the goodthingsdwell on the positive Courage wells up with aglowing warmth that melts away her fears She stillhas Ma and her brothers Chacha and Chachi care forall of them They have no children of their own

Dichi loves her Chacha like her own Dada but is upsetwhen she overhears Chachi say to Ma ldquoYour brother isa good man But his gambling is a habit that can makeor break you ndash and now wersquore going downhillrdquo

lsquoChacha ndash a gambler Oh no It canrsquot be sorsquo

Days pass Dichi and her family fall into a newroutine

8

Dichi sits on her ash tree glancing down at the two rugged crutches that lieon the grass below Chacha made them for her from her mighty ash

ldquoMy branches are thin and fat long and shortrdquo whispers her ash ldquobut Irsquomstrongrdquo

Dichi climbs higher to peer into a birdrsquos nest She trails her fingers after arow of ants and sniffs the cool scent of ash leaves

lsquoYoursquore MY ash tree Chacha says Irsquom just like you sturdy as a yak Withthese crutches Irsquoll be strong and fierce as a Yetirsquo

9

10

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Dada guides their mule throughknee-deep river water Nimble as amountain goat Dichi tucks herskirt to skip on the rocks Her toestingle in the chill waters until sheslips and tumbles in with a splash

ldquoCarefulrdquo warns Chacha who isfishing nearby

In a sudden surge the river swellsand roars about them in a furiousflash flood Chacha rushes over tograb Dichi by the arms

4

Her left leg is caught beneath a rolling boulder Dadarsquos figure is a blur ndash hisvoice muffled by the raging waters Caught in the current the mule swimsand staggers to the other side its burden toppled and swept away

Chacha can barely keep his balance in the deluge as he tries to extricateDichirsquos leg from below the obstinate rock Drenched in muddy water hemusters all his strength to yank Dichi out His powerful shoulders carry herback to Ma who crouches sobbing over her bedraggled daughter Sharpneedles of pain shoot up Dichirsquos left leg Enveloped by a fit of trembling shefaints

5

Leaving Dichi with her horrified Ma Chacha charges back for Dada ButDada never returns Cold fingers of fear clutch at Dichirsquos heart when theybring his body home from the river

Dichi hears of the sports goods company that felled their chir pine deodarand ash trees to make cricket bats and other sports stuff Why do they chopour forests Canrsquot they see the landslides thunder down the mountainsideThe fierce flash floods that carry away the poor folk Those floods took herDadaand the power in Dichirsquos left leg She now has no sensation in itbelow the knee

6

Can Dichi ever forget those icy river waters She still feels them block her ears leak into her nose blur her eyesand close over her head

7

But no Chacha says she must think of the goodthingsdwell on the positive Courage wells up with aglowing warmth that melts away her fears She stillhas Ma and her brothers Chacha and Chachi care forall of them They have no children of their own

Dichi loves her Chacha like her own Dada but is upsetwhen she overhears Chachi say to Ma ldquoYour brother isa good man But his gambling is a habit that can makeor break you ndash and now wersquore going downhillrdquo

lsquoChacha ndash a gambler Oh no It canrsquot be sorsquo

Days pass Dichi and her family fall into a newroutine

8

Dichi sits on her ash tree glancing down at the two rugged crutches that lieon the grass below Chacha made them for her from her mighty ash

ldquoMy branches are thin and fat long and shortrdquo whispers her ash ldquobut Irsquomstrongrdquo

Dichi climbs higher to peer into a birdrsquos nest She trails her fingers after arow of ants and sniffs the cool scent of ash leaves

lsquoYoursquore MY ash tree Chacha says Irsquom just like you sturdy as a yak Withthese crutches Irsquoll be strong and fierce as a Yetirsquo

9

10

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Her left leg is caught beneath a rolling boulder Dadarsquos figure is a blur ndash hisvoice muffled by the raging waters Caught in the current the mule swimsand staggers to the other side its burden toppled and swept away

Chacha can barely keep his balance in the deluge as he tries to extricateDichirsquos leg from below the obstinate rock Drenched in muddy water hemusters all his strength to yank Dichi out His powerful shoulders carry herback to Ma who crouches sobbing over her bedraggled daughter Sharpneedles of pain shoot up Dichirsquos left leg Enveloped by a fit of trembling shefaints

5

Leaving Dichi with her horrified Ma Chacha charges back for Dada ButDada never returns Cold fingers of fear clutch at Dichirsquos heart when theybring his body home from the river

Dichi hears of the sports goods company that felled their chir pine deodarand ash trees to make cricket bats and other sports stuff Why do they chopour forests Canrsquot they see the landslides thunder down the mountainsideThe fierce flash floods that carry away the poor folk Those floods took herDadaand the power in Dichirsquos left leg She now has no sensation in itbelow the knee

6

Can Dichi ever forget those icy river waters She still feels them block her ears leak into her nose blur her eyesand close over her head

7

But no Chacha says she must think of the goodthingsdwell on the positive Courage wells up with aglowing warmth that melts away her fears She stillhas Ma and her brothers Chacha and Chachi care forall of them They have no children of their own

Dichi loves her Chacha like her own Dada but is upsetwhen she overhears Chachi say to Ma ldquoYour brother isa good man But his gambling is a habit that can makeor break you ndash and now wersquore going downhillrdquo

lsquoChacha ndash a gambler Oh no It canrsquot be sorsquo

Days pass Dichi and her family fall into a newroutine

8

Dichi sits on her ash tree glancing down at the two rugged crutches that lieon the grass below Chacha made them for her from her mighty ash

ldquoMy branches are thin and fat long and shortrdquo whispers her ash ldquobut Irsquomstrongrdquo

Dichi climbs higher to peer into a birdrsquos nest She trails her fingers after arow of ants and sniffs the cool scent of ash leaves

lsquoYoursquore MY ash tree Chacha says Irsquom just like you sturdy as a yak Withthese crutches Irsquoll be strong and fierce as a Yetirsquo

9

10

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Leaving Dichi with her horrified Ma Chacha charges back for Dada ButDada never returns Cold fingers of fear clutch at Dichirsquos heart when theybring his body home from the river

Dichi hears of the sports goods company that felled their chir pine deodarand ash trees to make cricket bats and other sports stuff Why do they chopour forests Canrsquot they see the landslides thunder down the mountainsideThe fierce flash floods that carry away the poor folk Those floods took herDadaand the power in Dichirsquos left leg She now has no sensation in itbelow the knee

6

Can Dichi ever forget those icy river waters She still feels them block her ears leak into her nose blur her eyesand close over her head

7

But no Chacha says she must think of the goodthingsdwell on the positive Courage wells up with aglowing warmth that melts away her fears She stillhas Ma and her brothers Chacha and Chachi care forall of them They have no children of their own

Dichi loves her Chacha like her own Dada but is upsetwhen she overhears Chachi say to Ma ldquoYour brother isa good man But his gambling is a habit that can makeor break you ndash and now wersquore going downhillrdquo

lsquoChacha ndash a gambler Oh no It canrsquot be sorsquo

Days pass Dichi and her family fall into a newroutine

8

Dichi sits on her ash tree glancing down at the two rugged crutches that lieon the grass below Chacha made them for her from her mighty ash

ldquoMy branches are thin and fat long and shortrdquo whispers her ash ldquobut Irsquomstrongrdquo

Dichi climbs higher to peer into a birdrsquos nest She trails her fingers after arow of ants and sniffs the cool scent of ash leaves

lsquoYoursquore MY ash tree Chacha says Irsquom just like you sturdy as a yak Withthese crutches Irsquoll be strong and fierce as a Yetirsquo

9

10

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Can Dichi ever forget those icy river waters She still feels them block her ears leak into her nose blur her eyesand close over her head

7

But no Chacha says she must think of the goodthingsdwell on the positive Courage wells up with aglowing warmth that melts away her fears She stillhas Ma and her brothers Chacha and Chachi care forall of them They have no children of their own

Dichi loves her Chacha like her own Dada but is upsetwhen she overhears Chachi say to Ma ldquoYour brother isa good man But his gambling is a habit that can makeor break you ndash and now wersquore going downhillrdquo

lsquoChacha ndash a gambler Oh no It canrsquot be sorsquo

Days pass Dichi and her family fall into a newroutine

8

Dichi sits on her ash tree glancing down at the two rugged crutches that lieon the grass below Chacha made them for her from her mighty ash

ldquoMy branches are thin and fat long and shortrdquo whispers her ash ldquobut Irsquomstrongrdquo

Dichi climbs higher to peer into a birdrsquos nest She trails her fingers after arow of ants and sniffs the cool scent of ash leaves

lsquoYoursquore MY ash tree Chacha says Irsquom just like you sturdy as a yak Withthese crutches Irsquoll be strong and fierce as a Yetirsquo

9

10

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

But no Chacha says she must think of the goodthingsdwell on the positive Courage wells up with aglowing warmth that melts away her fears She stillhas Ma and her brothers Chacha and Chachi care forall of them They have no children of their own

Dichi loves her Chacha like her own Dada but is upsetwhen she overhears Chachi say to Ma ldquoYour brother isa good man But his gambling is a habit that can makeor break you ndash and now wersquore going downhillrdquo

lsquoChacha ndash a gambler Oh no It canrsquot be sorsquo

Days pass Dichi and her family fall into a newroutine

8

Dichi sits on her ash tree glancing down at the two rugged crutches that lieon the grass below Chacha made them for her from her mighty ash

ldquoMy branches are thin and fat long and shortrdquo whispers her ash ldquobut Irsquomstrongrdquo

Dichi climbs higher to peer into a birdrsquos nest She trails her fingers after arow of ants and sniffs the cool scent of ash leaves

lsquoYoursquore MY ash tree Chacha says Irsquom just like you sturdy as a yak Withthese crutches Irsquoll be strong and fierce as a Yetirsquo

9

10

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Dichi sits on her ash tree glancing down at the two rugged crutches that lieon the grass below Chacha made them for her from her mighty ash

ldquoMy branches are thin and fat long and shortrdquo whispers her ash ldquobut Irsquomstrongrdquo

Dichi climbs higher to peer into a birdrsquos nest She trails her fingers after arow of ants and sniffs the cool scent of ash leaves

lsquoYoursquore MY ash tree Chacha says Irsquom just like you sturdy as a yak Withthese crutches Irsquoll be strong and fierce as a Yetirsquo

9

10

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

10

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

ldquoHey Dichi Everyonersquos at the meetingrdquo yells Shyam

Quick as lightning Dichi slides down picks up her crutches and follows him to the vast shady tree where thevillagers gather around Gauri the village elder

11

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

ldquoWe may be illiterate but we are wise folkrdquo says Gauri ldquoWe will not allowthem to auction our precious trees to any company When Chand thecontractor comes with his axemen we will go out into the forests and hugthe chir pine deodar and ash trees There will be no violencerdquo

The villagers troop into the forest chanting their Chipko slogans Dichi grabsher dholak to boom along with the chant of children who bounce aroundlike rubber balls

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

12

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

ldquoWhat do these forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the children following her with a hop and a jump

13

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

But a cluster of uniformed axemenis there before them ContractorChandrsquos bulky form looms abovebarking out orders to methodicallymark the chir pine deodar andash trees for auction with a chalkywhite X The villagers clamouraround them in fury They beardown upon the axemen Theybrandish their dholaks filling theforest with Chipko songs

ldquoLet us protect and plant the treesGo awaken the villages and driveaway the axemenrdquo

14

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

15

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Contractor Chand gives an evil grin as he and his axemen troop into a bus and drive away

The next day there is a hubbub as the village men get ready for a long drive down the mountainside Trucks aresent by the government for the menfolk to view the film ndash a sudden treat that canrsquot be ignored as movies arerarely seen in these parts The women are busy weaving The village school is abuzz Children learn new Chipko slogans draw chir pinedeodar and ash trees on their slates beat on their dholaks and dance

ldquoSoil ours water ours ours are these forests tooOur forefathers raised these it is we who must protect these toordquo

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom

16

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

After school Dichi and her brothers take the sheep into the forest to grazeAlong with the other village kids they hug the chir pine deodar and ashtrees Their cheerful voices fade as the sun dips into the horizon and thechildren head back to the village with bundles of firewood on their heads Dichi lingers to close her eyes and lean on her favourite tree Its featheryleaves calm her the smooth bark cools her cheeks as it seems to whisper toher

17

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

lsquoNo one must take away my ashrsquo thinks Dichi firmly

Time stands still All is right with the world

18

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

But these tranquil trees are all aflutter when from their bosom parrotssquawk and take wing in a flurry of green feathers Squirrels burst out ofthe undergrowth in a frenzy With a screech of brakes a bus jolts to a stopbeneath the cliff Spattered with mud it is enveloped in a cloud of dustDichi peers through the curtain of leaves

Men troop out in single file Their khaki uniforms are scruffy their axes glintas they head towards her forest with its chir pine deodar and ash treesBurly Chand follows Their footsteps echo down the mountainside

lsquoHelp My ash They canrsquot cut my ashrsquo Dichi slips off the branch to slitherdown the steep mountainside Panting she throws her crutches over thegentle slope of green to roll after them

19

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

20

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Rumble tumble thump Rumbletumble thump

Dichirsquos heart booms like herdholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

lsquoI need helprsquo Dichi floundersgropes for her crutches and tottershome

ldquoMardquo she gasps Ma rushes out towrap protective arms about her asshe crumbles like charred wood ina bonfire

21

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

ldquoMa My ash The ndash the ndash Theyrsquore ndashndash cutting itrdquo

ldquoWho child Talk slowly Here ndash drink this waterrdquo

ldquoThey cndashcame in a big bus with axes So many men Huge men with sharp axes Mardquo

ldquoOh no Itrsquos the contractorrsquos men come to chop our trees Quick We have to do somethingrdquo

ldquoYou wait here Irsquoll gather everyonerdquo says Dichi catching her breath and squaring her shoulders Women and children rush to rally around with dholaks

ldquoWersquove got to do something Contractor Chand tricked our menfolk into going awayrdquo Ma says wringing the edgeof her phantu ldquoHow do we stop them without our menfolkrdquo

ldquoWersquoll show them But remember ndash absolutely no violencerdquo says the village elder Gauri who is Marsquos best friend

Dichirsquos heart booms along with her dholak

22

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipkordquo she yellsldquoHug the treesrdquo holler the women and children till their throats ache for a drink of hot buttered tea

23

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

The forest throbs with the wails of chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo shouts Dichi raising her fist high

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

The X that marks every tree to be cut feels like a gash ndash a wound that will never heal My Ash What will I do without you Dichirsquos trembling fingers scratch at the bark to erase the X

ldquoYou canrsquot cut my ashrdquo she says fiercely her arms wrapped around her tree

ldquoMove outrdquo rasps Contractor Chand pulling her away roughly

Dichi whirls to stamp her feet Her eagle eyes scrutinize the axemen who crowd around They look tired and waryAs her gaze fixes on one figure hiding behind a tree his eyes drop to the ground

Dichirsquos eyes widen ldquoChacha ndash you toordquo

24

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Therersquos a hush in the woods Chacha slumps to drop his axe with a clink

ldquoI have a gambling debt I am out of workrdquo says Chacha lamely

Dichi and her brothers rush to hug him

25

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

ldquoChacha wersquoll work and help you repay your debts I can weave a shawland sell itrdquo says Dichi

ldquoIrsquoll work at the soap unitrdquo says Ram

ldquoIrsquoll work at the water millrdquo says Shyam

Chacharsquos head droops a teardrop glistens in his eye He throws off the shirt of his uniform picks up Dichirsquos dholak

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

26

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

ldquoWhat do the forests bearrdquo boom Chacha and Dichi

ldquoSoil water and pure airrdquo chorus the women and children

27

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

ldquoYou foolish girl These forests bear timber resin and foreign exchangerdquocuts in Contractor Chand ldquoMEN chop down those trees at once Every oneof them ndash chir pine deodar and ashrdquo

ldquoNo No No Pleeeease donrsquotrdquo says Dichi holding on to her tree ldquoThe trees are our savioursrdquo

ldquoShersquos rightrdquo says Chacha ldquoShe lost her Dada in that floodrdquo

An axeman opens burning palms to drop his axe Another axe clinks down and another until one by one the axemen troop out of the forest

28

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Dhoom Dadaka Dhoom DadakaDhoom Dadaka Dhoom

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cries Dichi Hoarse voices echo with the wind that whines through the chir pine deodar and ash trees

ldquoCut this forest and yoursquoll wipe out our villagerdquo says Ma

A bulky form blots out the sky Contractor Chand towers before them looking like thunder Shaking an angry fist he stamps his feet turns on his heel and marches away

29

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

30

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Squeezing her hands together Dichi takes a deep breath

She canrsquot believe it ndash all the axemen have gone

ldquoWe did itrdquo says Ma ldquoWersquoll take our Chipko Movement to every part ofIndiardquo

ldquoChipko Hug the treesrdquo cry the women and children

Toes tap feet thump Hand in hand they swing into a joyous victory dance

The ash sways in the breeze Dichi rests her cheek against its cool bark Shefeels its feathery leaves rustle in the evening breeze ldquoIrsquom like you strongand fierce like a Yetisturdy as a yakrdquo Dichi whispers to her ash tree

31

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

32

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Glossary

Chacha - Uncle Chipko - To stick to hugDada - FatherDholak - DrumMa - MotherPhantu - Bhotiya tribal women wear this shawl on the head tucked behind to make two pocketsYak - Long-haired domestic cattleYeti - An imaginary giant ape or an abominable snowman believed to live in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal and Tibet

33

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

Bibliography is a list of published reference material used by an authorto write a story Here is a short bibliography for this book

1 The Unquiet Woods by Ramachandra Guha2 Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi and the Chipko Movement by Mark Shepard3 Among the Bhotiyas and their Neighbors by E C M Browne4 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=tcwY04s_mlMampfeature=related - CNN IBN ndash Chandi Prasad Bhatt 5 httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=GXnAcTS8Aisampfeature=related - Nanda Devi Campaign Bali Devi Speaks

34

ldquoForestry is not about trees It is about peoplerdquo

- Jack Westoby author of The Purpose of Forestsbull The Bhotiya tribe live high in the Himalaya mountains of India They love and protect the forests because theydepend on them for firewood tools and building houses

bull In 1970 floods occur in Alaknanda when the forests are cleared sweeping away houses bridges cattle andthousands of people The Bhotiyas know they have to save their forests so they adopt the Chipko Movement whichpromotes non-violence An illiterate woman Gaura Devi a tribal leader from Chamoli District mobilizes thewomen of her region to protect their forests Some consider this an eco-feminist movement where women areactively involved

bull In the Alaknanda Valley Chandi Prasad Bhatt is a humble social worker who teaches the people to embrace thetrees and save them from the axemen Like Mahatma Gandhi he doesnrsquot use violence He encourages tribals todevelop their local industries without disturbing the forest wealth

bull ldquoEcology is permanent economyrdquo says Chipko leader Sunderlal Bahuguna who continues the movement tofight the felling of forests

35

bull Like Dichi in this book a little Bhotiya girl spots the axemen and alerts thevillage women who march into the forest with shouts of Chipko slogansWithout violence they block the axemen from cutting the trees

bull In 1980 the Government of India passes a law to protect these forestsThis is one of the first important environmental movements in India

36

This book was made possible by Pratham Books StoryWeaver platform Content under CreativeCommons licenses can be downloaded translated and can even be used to create new stories ‐provided you give appropriate credit and indicate if changes were made To know more about thisand the full terms of use and attribution please visit the following link

Disclaimer httpswwwstoryweaverorginterms_and_conditions

Some rights reserved This book is CC -BY -40 licensed You can copy modify distributeand perform the work even for commercial purposes all without asking permissionFor full terms of use and attribution httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby40

Story AttributionThis story Chipko takes root is written by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license

Other CreditsChipko Takes Root has been published on StoryWeaver by Pratham Books The development of this book has been supported by HDFC Asset ManagementCompany Limited- a joint Venture with Standard Life Investments wwwprathambooksorg

Illustration AttributionsCover page Girl on crutches playing the dholak and dancing by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40license Page 2 A girl hanging upside down from a tree with her friends by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CCBY 40 license Page 3 A girl crossing a river towards a boy standing in the river by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Releasedunder CC BY 40 license Page 4 A girl crossing a river in a village situated in the hills by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reservedReleased under CC BY 40 license Page 5 Two people trapped in a whirlpool by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released underCC BY 40 license Page 6 A girl crying alone in the corner by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 licensePage 7 A girl crying while thinking about two people who have drowned in the river by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Releasedunder CC BY 40 license Page 8 A girl crying with an angry old woman in the background with another woman by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 9 A girl standing on a tree branch with a firm grip by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 10 A girl crying due to her family and later standing on a tree branch by Jeyanthi Manokaran copyPratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 11 People heading towards a village meeting by Jeyanthi Manokaran copyPratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license

bull Like Dichi in this book a little Bhotiya girl spots the axemen and alerts thevillage women who march into the forest with shouts of Chipko slogansWithout violence they block the axemen from cutting the trees

bull In 1980 the Government of India passes a law to protect these forestsThis is one of the first important environmental movements in India

36

This book was made possible by Pratham Books StoryWeaver platform Content under CreativeCommons licenses can be downloaded translated and can even be used to create new stories ‐provided you give appropriate credit and indicate if changes were made To know more about thisand the full terms of use and attribution please visit the following link

Disclaimer httpswwwstoryweaverorginterms_and_conditions

Some rights reserved This book is CC -BY -40 licensed You can copy modify distributeand perform the work even for commercial purposes all without asking permissionFor full terms of use and attribution httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby40

Story AttributionThis story Chipko takes root is written by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license

Other CreditsChipko Takes Root has been published on StoryWeaver by Pratham Books The development of this book has been supported by HDFC Asset ManagementCompany Limited- a joint Venture with Standard Life Investments wwwprathambooksorg

Illustration AttributionsCover page Girl on crutches playing the dholak and dancing by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40license Page 2 A girl hanging upside down from a tree with her friends by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CCBY 40 license Page 3 A girl crossing a river towards a boy standing in the river by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Releasedunder CC BY 40 license Page 4 A girl crossing a river in a village situated in the hills by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reservedReleased under CC BY 40 license Page 5 Two people trapped in a whirlpool by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released underCC BY 40 license Page 6 A girl crying alone in the corner by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 licensePage 7 A girl crying while thinking about two people who have drowned in the river by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Releasedunder CC BY 40 license Page 8 A girl crying with an angry old woman in the background with another woman by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 9 A girl standing on a tree branch with a firm grip by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 10 A girl crying due to her family and later standing on a tree branch by Jeyanthi Manokaran copyPratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 11 People heading towards a village meeting by Jeyanthi Manokaran copyPratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license

This book was made possible by Pratham Books StoryWeaver platform Content under CreativeCommons licenses can be downloaded translated and can even be used to create new stories ‐provided you give appropriate credit and indicate if changes were made To know more about thisand the full terms of use and attribution please visit the following link

Disclaimer httpswwwstoryweaverorginterms_and_conditions

Some rights reserved This book is CC -BY -40 licensed You can copy modify distributeand perform the work even for commercial purposes all without asking permissionFor full terms of use and attribution httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby40

Story AttributionThis story Chipko takes root is written by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license

Other CreditsChipko Takes Root has been published on StoryWeaver by Pratham Books The development of this book has been supported by HDFC Asset ManagementCompany Limited- a joint Venture with Standard Life Investments wwwprathambooksorg

Illustration AttributionsCover page Girl on crutches playing the dholak and dancing by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40license Page 2 A girl hanging upside down from a tree with her friends by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CCBY 40 license Page 3 A girl crossing a river towards a boy standing in the river by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Releasedunder CC BY 40 license Page 4 A girl crossing a river in a village situated in the hills by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reservedReleased under CC BY 40 license Page 5 Two people trapped in a whirlpool by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released underCC BY 40 license Page 6 A girl crying alone in the corner by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 licensePage 7 A girl crying while thinking about two people who have drowned in the river by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Releasedunder CC BY 40 license Page 8 A girl crying with an angry old woman in the background with another woman by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 9 A girl standing on a tree branch with a firm grip by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 10 A girl crying due to her family and later standing on a tree branch by Jeyanthi Manokaran copyPratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 11 People heading towards a village meeting by Jeyanthi Manokaran copyPratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license

This book was made possible by Pratham Books StoryWeaver platform Content under CreativeCommons licenses can be downloaded translated and can even be used to create new stories ‐provided you give appropriate credit and indicate if changes were made To know more about thisand the full terms of use and attribution please visit the following link

Disclaimer httpswwwstoryweaverorginterms_and_conditions

Some rights reserved This book is CC -BY -40 licensed You can copy modify distributeand perform the work even for commercial purposes all without asking permissionFor full terms of use and attribution httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby40

Illustration AttributionsPage 12 Girl playing a song on her drum and singing by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 licensePage 13 Girl on crutches playing and singing a song with her dholak with other children dancing behind her by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Somerights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 14 Men in uniforms wielding axes and marking trees to be cut by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 15 Passionate group of villagers singing and playing on drums by Jeyanthi Manokaran copyPratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 17 Girl hugging a tree branch and smiling by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy PrathamBooks 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 18 Girl hugging a tree branch with her village in the backdrop by Jeyanthi Manokaran copyPratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 19 Soldiers walking on the road with a bus coming behind them by JeyanthiManokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 20 Girl on top of a tree looking at soldiers walking on the roadfearfully by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 21 A girl on crutches throwing herself on awoman by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 23 A womans hands holding a dholak byJeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 25 A bunch of children scared of a man holding an axeand crying by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 26 Backdrop of trees by JeyanthiManokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license

This book was made possible by Pratham Books StoryWeaver platform Content under CreativeCommons licenses can be downloaded translated and can even be used to create new stories ‐provided you give appropriate credit and indicate if changes were made To know more about thisand the full terms of use and attribution please visit the following link

Disclaimer httpswwwstoryweaverorginterms_and_conditions

Some rights reserved This book is CC -BY -40 licensed You can copy modify distributeand perform the work even for commercial purposes all without asking permissionFor full terms of use and attribution httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby40

Illustration AttributionsPage 27 Man playing a dholak passionately with children and women joining him by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Releasedunder CC BY 40 license Page 28 Men throwing away their axes on the ground by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Releasedunder CC BY 40 license Page 29 Children hugging a tree protectively by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY40 license Page 30 Villagers hugging trees of the forest with uniformed men giving up their axes by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rightsreserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 31 Rural women dancing in a circle by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reservedReleased under CC BY 40 license Page 32 Rural women dancing in a forest with joy by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reservedReleased under CC BY 40 license Page 33 A stalk of leaves by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40license Page 34 A stalk of leaves in the corner by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license Page 36Girl hugging a tree in a forest by Jeyanthi Manokaran copy Pratham Books 2015 Some rights reserved Released under CC BY 40 license

This is a Level 4 book for children who can read fluently and with confidence

(English)Chipko takes root

Here is a story set in the hills that shows what bravery and grit canaccomplish Dichi a brave Bhotiya girl takes part in the Chipkomovement to save her beloved trees Everybody in her village knowsthat trees give them all the important things in their life Rapiddeforestation in the Himalayan region of Alaknanda river caused floodsin the 1970s and gave birth to a movement to save trees by huggingthem Read this heartwarming tale to learn the power of collectiveaction as seen through the eyes of young Dichi

Pratham Books goes digital to weave a whole new chapter in the realm of multilingual childrens stories Knitting together children authors illustrators andpublishers Folding in teachers and translators To create a rich fabric of openly licensed multilingual stories for the children of India and the world Our uniqueonline platform StoryWeaver is a playground where children parents teachers and librarians can get creative Come start weaving today and help us get abook in every childs hand