The women of Garhwal Himalaya, although they act as the backbone of the economy, possess immense tolerance, intellect, high level of coordination but the gender disparity does not allow them to use their full potential. The fabric of the society in which the women are considered subordinate to men in every respect, lack of literacy, migration of the male population, tough topography and the environmental degradation has intensified their problems. Actually the gender bias causes to overlook the basic requirements and needs of women particularly in the hills and the legacy of ages of discrimination cannot be overcome without educational awareness and literacy in human rights amongst the women. But interestingly, the gender disparity and deprivation since ages has induced a very different character in the women of Garhwal Himalayas and that is of a Socio-Political Activist. The deprivation and subordination has on the one hand provided them with the capacity of stress tolerance and on the other capability to fight back the socio-political problems. It can be gauged from the fact that the women of Garhwal have always been in the forefront of the movements largely associated with the well being of the society like Chipko movement-for the protection of environment, anti-liquor agitation-for the well being of the male population, Uttarakhand movement-for the political identity. The present paper therefore, attempts to analyse the causes of the transition of the women from socio-political disparity to eco-political activism

If we analyse the situation of women of the hill/rural areas we find that the women of these areas are the worst sufferers of the gender discrimination. Although, the whole economy revolves around the women but attempts have neither been made to reduce their drudgery by applying the region specific technologies nor for their training and development. They are not only treated as an inferior to men but are also considered less intelligent. Ironically in the mythological accounts and folklore of Uttarakhand the Mother Goddess has been given a very high place and sometimes she has also been described as the creator and holder of the power. A historical pilgrimage known as Nanda Devi Rajjat, (The Journey of Mother Goddess Nanda) devoted to the Mother Goddess Nanda, takes place in Garhwal Himalayas in every 12 years and is performed with great fanfare and religious faith. Nandadevi is one of the highest mountains in Uttarakhand and Goddess Nanda is considered the creator and all-powerful Goddess. This particular festival is associated with Goddess Nanda's journey from her parental home to her husband's place at Mount Kailash. The journey begins from the village of Nauty in District Chamoli in Uttarakhand valley after covering a distance of 281 Km. and passing through various terrains, highland pastures, beautiful, breath taking natural scenarios culminates at Roopkund and Homkund situated at an altitude of approximately 15000 and 17000 feet respectively. It is one of the longest and toughest pilgrimages to be undertaken on foot by the people even some devotees prefer to track the tough terrain naked foot. Paradoxically, the festival, which is devoted to the mother Goddess, deprives the women to be part of the total process because in accordance to the traditional beliefs the women are considered less self controlled and highly impure at least once in a month and it is also believed that their presence might damage the whole pilgrimage therefore women and the low caste people are not allowed to proceed with the Jat (Journey) beyond a certain point. Although, in 1987 for the first time, a few women undertook this long journey, but they were discouraged at every step on the plea that women's participation might infuriate the Goddess. At present the women are trying to break these restrictions because they feel that one women cannot stop other women to participate in these rituals and therefore the jat (journey) which was undertaken in 2000 after a gap of twelve years, saw a small contingent of women who completed it like the other male members.

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I am indebted to Dr. Dalip Singh, for providing and analyzing the necessary data for this study.

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*Dr. Annpurna Nautiyal is a Professor and Head in the Department of Political Science, HNB Garhwal University , Srinagar Garhwal, Uttaranchal, 246174