Born in 1927 in Tehri Garhwal district. Took active part in freedom movement and suffered imprisonment. Post independence, started a school for scavengers. Established Thakkar Bapa Hostel for poor students. Protested against re-opening of liquor shops in hilly districts. Founded the “Parvatiya Navjivan Mandal”. In 1973, he started the now world famous ‘chipko' movement (hug the trees) against felling of trees for petty commercial gains. This initiative has now assumed massive proportions to include total ecological balance of the hill region of Uttarakhand.

Chipko Information Centre,
P.O. Silyara,
Via Ghansalli,
Tehri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh - 249155
Tel: 1376 - 84566