Chipko movement leader Sundarlal Bahuguna died of COVID-19 at AIIMS, Rishikesh on Friday, reported ANI quoting the hospital administration.

Bahuguna spearheaded the Chipko movement, a forest conservation movement, that began in 1973 in Uttarakhand. As part of the movement, villagers hugged the trees and prevented the contractors from felling them. It became a rallying point for many future environmental movements all over the world. 

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He also started an anti-Tehri Dam movement in 1980s and was awarded Padma Shri in 1981 and Padma Vibhushan in 2009.

Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi took to Twitter and expressed grief on Bahuguna’s death. He wrote, “Passing away of Shri Sunderlal Bahuguna Ji is a monumental loss for our nation. He manifested our centuries old ethos of living in harmony with nature. His simplicity and spirit of compassion will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with his family and many admirers. Om Shanti.”