The Story of Silent Valley: How a Forest was Saved by a People's Movement
Silent Valley Movement Pdf Download
If you are interested in learning more about one of the most successful environmental movements in India, you might want to download a pdf document that covers the topic of Silent Valley Movement. In this article, we will tell you what Silent Valley is, what was the movement about, how it saved a precious forest from destruction, and how you can download a pdf file that contains all the information you need. We will also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of downloading a pdf document, as well as some alternatives and suggestions for further reading.
Silent Valley Movement Pdf Download
What is Silent Valley?
Location and features
Silent Valley is an evergreen sub-tropical forest in the Palakkad district of Kerala, India. It covers an area of about 90 square kilometers and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is named so because of the absence of noisy cicadas that are common in other forests. The valley is drained by the Kunthipuzha river, which originates from the forest and flows into the Bharathapuzha river.
Biodiversity and significance
Silent Valley is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including many rare and endangered species. Some of the notable animals that live in the valley are the lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur, the tiger, the leopard, the elephant, the gaur, and the Malabar giant squirrel. The valley also hosts over 400 species of birds, 100 species of butterflies, and 2000 species of plants. Silent Valley is considered as one of the most biologically diverse regions in India and a hotspot of genetic resources. It also plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance and climate stability of the region.
What was Silent Valley Movement?
History and background
The Silent Valley Movement was a social movement that started in 1973 to protect Silent Valley from being flooded by a hydroelectric project. The project was proposed by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) in 1958 and approved by the Planning Commission in 1973. The project involved building a dam across the Kunthipuzha river at Sairandhri, which would submerge about 8.5 square kilometers of the forest and affect its wildlife and ecosystem.
Participants and methods
The movement was initiated by local people who opposed the project on environmental and cultural grounds. They were later joined by various groups and individuals who supported their cause, such as Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP), a voluntary organization that published a report on the negative impacts of the project; Romulus Whitaker, a herpetologist who drew attention to the endangered lion-tailed macaque; Dr. Salim Ali, an ornithologist who appealed for the cancellation of the project; Sugathakumari, a poet who wrote an ode to a tree as a symbol of protest; Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, an agricultural scientist who suggested making Silent Valley a national rainforest biosphere reserve; and Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India who intervened in favor of conservation.
The movement used various means to pressure the government to scrap the project, such as petitions, demonstrations, rallies, campaigns, litigation, media coverage, scientific studies, and public awareness. The movement also received international support from organizations like IUCN, WWF, and UNESCO.
Outcomes and impacts
The movement succeeded in saving Silent Valley from the hydroelectric project. In 1980, the Central Government decided to abandon the project and declared Silent Valley as a national park in 1985. The movement also influenced the development of a new paradigm of development that ensures environmental sustainability and the rights of the non-human world. The movement also taught the lesson that protecting nature is essential for protecting ourselves.
How to download Silent Valley Movement Pdf?
Sources and links
If you want to download a pdf document that covers the topic of Silent Valley Movement, you have several options to choose from. Here are some of the sources and links that you can use:
Silent Valley Movement: History, Significance, Short Note - This is a pdf file that provides a brief overview of the movement and its relevance for the UPSC exam.
Save Silent Valley - Wikipedia - This is a pdf file that gives a detailed account of the history, participants, methods, outcomes, and impacts of the movement.
Silent Valley A Peoples Movement that Saved a Forest - This is a pdf file that narrates the story of the movement from a personal perspective and highlights its significance for conservation.
To download any of these pdf files, you can simply click on the link and then choose the option to save or print the file.
Benefits and drawbacks
Downloading a pdf document that covers the topic of Silent Valley Movement has some benefits and drawbacks. Some of the benefits are:
You can access the information anytime and anywhere without an internet connection.
You can read the information at your own pace and convenience.
You can highlight, annotate, or bookmark the information as per your needs.
You can share the information with others easily.
Some of the drawbacks are:
You might not get the latest or updated information as pdf files are not dynamic.
You might not get the interactive or multimedia features that online sources offer.
You might face compatibility or formatting issues with different devices or platforms.
You might consume more storage space or paper resources by downloading or printing pdf files.
Alternatives and suggestions
If you are not satisfied with downloading a pdf document that covers the topic of Silent Valley Movement, you can also try some alternatives and suggestions. Some of them are:
You can watch online videos or documentaries that explain the movement and its implications. For example, you can watch Silent Valley - A People's Movement or Silent Valley - The Story of India's First Environmental Movement.
You can read online articles or blogs that provide insights and opinions on the movement and its legacy. For example, you can read The Silent Valley movement or Silent Valley: 40 years after the movement.
You can join online forums or communities that discuss the movement and its relevance for today's environmental issues. For example, you can join Quora or Reddit.
You can visit Silent Valley National Park yourself and experience its beauty and diversity firsthand. You can also learn more about its history and conservation efforts from the park authorities or guides.
Conclusion
Silent Valley Movement was a remarkable example of how people can come together to protect nature from destructive development projects. The movement saved a unique and valuable forest from being submerged by a dam and preserved its biodiversity and ecosystem services for future generations. The movement also inspired a new vision of development that respects the environment and the rights of all living beings.
If you want to learn more about Silent Valley Movement, you can download a pdf document that covers the topic in detail. You can also explore other sources and formats that offer different perspectives and insights on the movement and its implications. You can also visit Silent Valley National Park yourself and witness its beauty and diversity firsthand.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it informative and useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your time and attention.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Silent Valley Movement:
When did Silent Valley Movement start and end?
Silent Valley Movement started in 1973 when the local people opposed the hydroelectric project that threatened to flood Silent Valley. The movement ended in 1980 when the Central Government decided to abandon the project and declared Silent Valley as a national park in 1985.
Who led Silent Valley Movement?
Silent Valley Movement was led by various groups and individuals who supported the cause of conservation, such as Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP), Romulus Whitaker, Dr. Salim Ali, Sugathakumari, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, and Indira Gandhi.
What was the main objective of Silent Valley Movement?
The main objective of Silent Valley Movement was to protect Silent Valley from being flooded by a hydroelectric project that would destroy its forest and wildlife and affect its ecosystem services.
What were the main methods used by Silent Valley Movement?
The main methods used by Silent Valley Movement were petitions, demonstrations, rallies, campaigns, litigation, media coverage, scientific studies, and public awareness.
What were the main impacts of Silent Valley Movement?
The main impacts of Silent Valley Movement were saving Silent Valley from the hydroelectric project, declaring it as a national park, influencing the development of a new paradigm of development that ensures environmental sustainability and the rights of the non-human world, and teaching the lesson that protecting nature is essential for protecting ourselves.
71b2f0854b