Chamoli: The 100th birth anniversary of Gaura Devi, the woman who led India’s iconic Chipko Movement, was celebrated with great reverence in her native village, Reni. Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, who attended the event as the chief guest, planted a sapling in her memory and unveiled a special postal stamp and commemorative cover issued by the Department of Posts to honour her contribution to forest conservation.
The celebration, organized by the Nanda Devi National Park administration, marked a century since Gaura Devi’s birth — a symbol of Uttarakhand’s environmental legacy. Addressing the gathering, Minister Uniyal said, “Gaura Devi’s struggle to protect forests remains an inspiration for generations. Just as she fought fearlessly to save trees, today’s women of the hills must continue to lead the way in conserving our forests.”
He added that the program was intentionally held in Reni, her workplace and home, instead of Dehradun, to pay true homage to her spirit. MLA Lakhpat Butola supported the public sentiment demanding that Gaura Devi be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna for her contributions. Environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt also shared a video message, recalling her courageous leadership during the Chipko Movement.
Senior officials including Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) R.K. Mishra, Chief Postmaster General Shashi Shalini Kujur, District Panchayat member Ayushi Butola, Municipal Chairperson Deveshwari Shah, and Gaura Devi’s family members — Chandan Singh Rana, Sohan Singh Rana, and several women from Reni — attended the ceremony.
