contact@dbuniversity.ac.in 
09476 690 950/ 08011 403 982
Women, Environment, and the Chita Andolan in India
By Dr. Pranti Dutta, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, ADBU
Introduction:
Women are traditionally, closely connected with environment and plays a crucial role in managing these resources(Agarwal, 1992).With their traditional knowledge about sustainable use of resources and conservation practices promotes environmentally sustainable development at the community level(Upadhyay, 2005). This close connection with nature placeswomen at greater risk from environmental degradation such as increases workloads, reduces access to essential resources that adversely impacts on their health, income and over all well-being.Therefore, these experiences enable women to adopt and promote environmental sustainability practices at community level. In this context, women-led initiatives emerge as efforts to protect forest, land and water resources. Chipko Movement, Narmada Bachao Andolan are notable examples where women have actively participated in protest against unsustainable development projects(Guha, 1989; Baviskar, 1995).
Ken-Betwa Link Project: Development and Its Discontent:
A recent example of this connection is reflected in case of Ken-Betwa Link Project started in December 25, 2024.The Ken-Betwa Link Project is river linking infrastructure project in India connecting the Ken and Betwa rivers across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh through a canal system. The main objective is to improve infrastructure including adequate water supply, irrigation and power generation. However, the project poses threaten to forest, water system, biodiversity and local livelihoods.
The project has significant environmental related impact including large scale deforestation, includes parts of the Panna Tiger reserve, vultures, and other endangered species and disrupt wildlife corridors. Further, forest dependent tribal population are likely to be displaced from their habitants. Moreover, they may loss access to forest resources and as well as traditional practices.
Chita Andolan:Women’s Resistance and Environmental Justice:
Against this backdrop, “Chita Andolan” an initiative by tribal women (protesters) are lying on mock funeral pyres in the Chhatarpur and Panna districts of Madhya Pradesh, India in April 2026 to oppose the Ken-Betwa River linking project. It highlights that they would rather die than lose their land. Women activists have voiced concerns over loss of livelihood, reduced access to water and forest produce, and threats to food security. Further, it disrupts vital tiger and vulture habitats, sparking intense environmental concerns. For them, environmental degradation directly translates into increased workload, longer hours spent collecting water and fuel, and heightened economic vulnerability(Malpani, 2026).
The Chita Andolan also challenges top-down models of development that often exclude local communities, especially women, from decision-making processes. It brings to the forefront issues of environmental justice, questioning whether large-scale infrastructure projects truly serve the interests of those most affected. Importantly, the movement illustrates how women transform their vulnerability into collective resistance, asserting their rights over natural resources and demanding sustainable alternatives.
Conclusion:
The Chita Andolan underscores the urgent need to rethink development paradigms in India. It highlights that economic growth and infrastructure expansion cannot come at the cost of ecological sustainability and social equity. Development projects must adopt a gender-sensitive approach that recognizes women’s unique relationship with the environment and includes them in planning and implementation processes.
There is a growing need for participatory decision-making, where the voices of local communitiesparticularly womenare heard and respected. Policies should prioritize decentralized and sustainable water management solutions that balance developmental goals with environmental conservation. Investments in eco-friendly infrastructure, community-based resource management, and awareness programs can help create more inclusive outcomes.
Ultimately, the movement reminds us that women are not merely victims of environmental change but active agents of transformation. Their resistance, rooted in lived experiences and ecological knowledge, offers valuable insights for building a more just, sustainable, and inclusive model of development.
References:
Agarwal, B. (1992). The Gender and Environment Debate: Lessons from India. Feminist Studies. Vol. 18, No. 1 , 119-158.
Baviskar, A. (1995). In the Belly of the River: Tribal Conflicts over Development in the Narmada Valley. . Oxford University Press.
Guha, R. (1989). The Unquiet Woods: Ecological Change and Peasant Resistance in the Himalaya. Oxford University Press.
Malpani, M. (2026). Ken-Betwa protest: Why are tribals opposing the river-linking project | Explained.
Retrieved from The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/madhya-pradesh/ken-betwa-protest-why-are-tribals-opposing-the-river-linking-project-explained/article71244208.ece Upadhyay, B. (2005). Women and natural resource management: Illustrations from India and Nepal. Natural Resources Forum, 29(3), 224-232.
