Resolution of social conflicts: An Indian model

Raghubir Singh Pirta

The modern government policy of development with its strong drive to harness the natural resources of the Himalayas —forests for timber and rivers for hydroelectricity —has created significant disruption in the lives of the people and dissonance in their psyches. This has led to a non-violent resistance in the Garhwal region. These social conflicts gave birth to the pioneering environmental movement of India, the Chipko movement, which later took a social and spiritual turn and led to the Himalaya Bachao Andolan (Save Himalaya Movement). This vision is articulated in a holistic model of development, where development is a quest for atma gyan or self-enlightenment and at the same time an aspiration for sarvodaya or the welfare of all. For this, the harmonious relationship of knowledge, devotion and action vital for a positive state of mental well-being is visualized. The model has applications in the area of environmental psychology and mental health.