Her father, Balraj, is a follower of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and follows his principles, thus motivated to participate in the struggle for an independent nation. Vidhya learns a great deal from her father about the economic and social implications of British rule on her homeland but, later, she also learns about ecological degradation in the region as a result of colonisation.
After witnessing catastrophic consequences (major flooding) caused by deforestation by order of a powerful English agent, Vidhya begins to understand the importance of preserving the forest. She is able to challenge the axe-men by leading a group of women on a non-violent protest.
In the Foothills of the Himalayas acknowledges the hard work and persistence of the Chipko movement (a forest conservation movement in India). Although the Chipko Andolan were active in 1970, the novel is set earlier in order to give recognition to the multiple campaigners who fought against illegal commercial felling prior to independence. The narrative describes how the felling of trees by British contractors had devastating effects on the region, leading to flooding and major landslides. Through fictitious characters, the story highlights the South Asian hill women’s distinctive forest knowledge and celebrates their non-violent activism.
Sarah Hussain’s novel takes a new look at an environmental crisis in India (Image: Sarah Hussain)
The novel can be differentiated from other English fiction set in the Raj period, as it not only presents an active native female heroine, but it is an eco-feminist novel that encourages a critical environmental analysis of the colonial period, rather than just social and political.
Other novelists have given us an opportunity to analyse postcolonial literature, but my novel offers a new perspective on imperialism in India, as it draws attention to the women’s activism and amplifies the voice of South Asian women, by challenging predominant victimhood roles.
My intention was to write a plot driven, realist novel. I avoided magical realism as I did not want to undermine the real-life grassroots efforts of women who have spent years trying to protect the forest. I felt a slow-paced novel with pages of description about the Himalayan forest would not be engaging. I wanted to write a story with a broader readership in mind. Narratives are a means to connect with a diverse audience. A story is a powerful tool to influence societal ideals. When readers are immersed in the world of fiction and connect with a protagonist, they feel what the character feels and are influenced by what is being portrayed. By presenting a story that raises awareness of the ecological concerns from the perspective of the indigenous hill women, I invite readers into the world of the native women, hoping that they will understand their perspective.
I have created a central protagonist who is a leader and not merely a victim of environmental imperialism. Although the story begins with Balraj as the main protagonist, he is unsuccessful at stopping the tree felling and it is Vidhya who eventually saves the trees. She leads the women on a non-violent march from village to village in order to raise awareness of the damage caused by deforestation. Vidhya is inspired by her elders to protest and preserve the natural forest. Her cultural values are a driving force and she does not succumb to the ways of the English traders.
We can only really dismantle patriarchal cultures by recognising and valuing women’s knowledge and contribution to society. We can show recognition to these women by listening to their voice as this gives us an opportunity to benefit from their knowledge. My novel gives recognition to the hill women of the Himalayas. It pays homage to all those unsung female activists.
* Dr Sarah Hussain is a Huddersfield based author and educator. Her novella, Escaped from Syria, was a winner finalist in the People’s Book Prize Award. She won the Ms Shakespeare competition in Yorkshire and was commissioned to write a monologue, which was performed on International Women’s Day.
Her short story, You Will Be Free One Day, My Dearest India, is included in the Trouble anthology and was highly commended. She completed a degree in Literature in 2008, an MA in Creative Writing in 2018, and has recently completed a PhD. Her new novel, In the Foothills of the Himalayas, is published by Foreshore.
