True Independence: Beyond Political Freedom to a Sustainable Future
The phrase "true independence" often evokes images of a nation breaking free from colonial rule, gaining the right to self-govern, and establishing its sovereignty. However, the late environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna, a prominent figure in the Chipko Movement, extended the definition beyond mere political freedom. For Bahuguna, true independence also encompassed the freedom to live in a healthy, sustainable environment-a notion deeply rooted in the principles of ecological balance and sustainability. Independence At its core, independence is about freedom-the freedom to make choices, to govern oneself, and to determine one’s destiny. Political independence, as we commonly understand it, is the freedom of a nation to self-govern without external control. However, Bahuguna's vision expands this notion to include environmental independence-the freedom to live in an environment that supports health, well-being, and sustainable living. Environmental Independence is the idea ...