What was Chipko Andolan? How did the Andolan ultimately benefit the local people and the environment?

Chipko Andolan  or Hug the Trees Movement was a protest against the cutting of the trees of the forest. In this Andolan, the women of Reni village in Garhwal hugged the tree trunks and did not allow the contractors to cut the trees.  

This Andolan quickly spread to other parts of the country  and forced the government to stop the cutting of the trees of the forest and preserve them. The environment was also saved from damage. The local people were also benefitted as they continued to get food and other benefits from the forest.