Sunderlal Bahuguna is no more. 94-year-old freedom fighter and environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna, who breathed his last on May 21, 2021 not only fought for the environment, but also for human rights.
Bahuguna was enthused by Mahatma Gandhi’s call for ‘force of non-violence and fasting’ and he remained his hero till his last breath. Although he is most popularly known for his Chipko Movement and Anti-Tehri Dam protests, Bahuguna has fought for causes other than environmental such as the rights of women and the welfare of the Harijans. He was instrumental in ensuring Harijans were able to enter a temple in Uttarakhand’s Tehri.
Bahuguna, who lived for decades in his Silyara Aashram in Tehri Garhwal, stimulated many young people in his passion for the environment. His Ashram was open to young people, with whom he communicated with ease.
Bahuguna’s activism dates back to the epoch of colonial....
