Chipko Takes Root

Author and Illustrator: Jeyanthi Manokaran

Jeyanthi Manokaran is a Bengaluru-based writer and illustrator of children’s books. She writes both fiction and non-fiction for young readers and her work has appeared in publications such as Highlights Magazine, Scholastic, National Book Trust and Orient Longman. She has received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific NOMA Concours award for children’s illustration and a Highlights Foundation Writer’s scholarship in the United States.

Source: https://storyweaver.org.in/en/users/4368-jeyanthi-manokaran

Publisher: Pratham Books (StoryWeaver)

Year: 2015

Reading Level: Level 4

Genre: Environmental non-fiction

Synopsis

The story follows Dichi, a young Bhotiya girl who lives in a Himalayan village surrounded by forests. After severe floods damage the region and take her father’s life, Dichi begins to understand how deforestation affects the land and the people who depend on it. When contractors arrive to cut down the village trees, the villagers organise themselves to protect the forest through the Chipko movement by hugging the trees and refusing to let them be cut. Through Dichi’s courage and the community’s collective action, the story shows how people can stand up to protect their environment.

Theme / Skill

1. Environmental conservation; 
2. Social movements; 
3. Courage and activism

Pre-reading

• Ask children what forests provide for people and animals. Write their answers on the board.
• Show the cover and ask students what they think the girl is doing with the dholak and why people might hug trees.
• Briefly introduce the idea that sometimes people protest peacefully to protect something important.

During reading

• Pause at moments where Dichi notices the forests or talks about protecting them. Ask students why the trees are important for the villagers.
• Discuss how the villagers respond when the contractors arrive.
• Draw attention to the repeated sound “Dhoom Dadaka” and ask children how sound words add energy to the story.

Post-reading

• Students discuss why forests are important for communities.
• Ask children to think of ways people can protect the environment in their own neighbourhood.
• Activity: children create a poster encouraging people to protect trees or nature.
• Assessment: Students explain one reason forests are important and describe how the villagers protected the trees in the story.

Reflection

This is a brilliant story about the Chipko movement and the idea of protecting forests. The main character, Dichi, is also a child, which makes it easier for young readers to connect with her. Her courage and determination show that even children can be part of important social movements. The repeated sound of the dholak, “Dhoom Dadaka,” adds rhythm and energy to the story and keeps it engaging. At the same time, the story is a little intense because it deals with floods, loss and environmental destruction. However, since it is based on a real historical event, it becomes a powerful way to introduce children to ideas about environmental conservation and collective action. It can help children understand how communities can work together to protect the environment.

References

Manokaran, J. (2015). Chipko Takes Root. Pratham Books.