Malleswaram: Ramachandra Guha on Chipko and climate change

Historian Ramachandra Guha opened a Malleswaram discussion on environmentalism with the Chipko Movement, calling it a “forceful, but non-violent form of resistance.”

The talk, *From Chipko to Climate Change*, was organised by Greenpeace India as part of its Bengaluru Rising campaign. Drawing on his work on environmental history and his 2024 book *Speaking with Nature*, Guha described environmentalism as “a philosophy of how to live compatibly with nature”. He said the Chipko Movement had challenged the idea that India was too poor to be green.

The session was followed by discussions under the Voices of Bengaluru banner with conservationist Rachna Ravikiran, environmental activist Preethi Sunderajan, climate studies researcher Kaustubh Rau and retired forest officer Ravindra.

Ravikiran spoke about Bengaluru’s lakes and tree loss, naming Hosakerehalli Lake. Sunderajan said conservation efforts must include cities, green spaces and water bodies. Rau discussed campaigns around the Mysore Lamps factory and the role of tree canopies for species including the slender loris. Ravindra proposed deemed-forest status for green spaces and spoke about leopards around Banashankari.

The venue displayed posters, cartoons and models on the theme.