By Dr. A.R, Khan
The notion that environmental conservation is a modern concept, imported from the West, is a profound misconception.
My own experience, having researched and worked on sustainable development in the late '80s and early '90s, has shown me that India's ecological consciousness is not a recent phenomenon but a tradition as old as its civilization. The wisdom embedded in our scriptures, rituals, and tribal traditions reveals a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all life. This article is a journey through India's rich heritage of environmental stewardship, demonstrating that for us, the environment is not a resource to be exploited, but a sacred entity to be revered. What was once unthinkable—India's position as a global leader in environmental governance—is now a reality, yet my observation is that the scale of the environmental challenge has grown exponentially, demanding a new level of commitment.
Part I: The Sacred Scriptures and Their Ecological Mandates
The ancient texts of India are replete with a cosmic worldview where humans are not masters of nature but an integral part of a vast, interconnected web of life.
1. The Vedic Ethos: A Hymn to Harmony
The Vedas, the oldest sacred texts, are hymns of reverence for the natural world. They personify elements, imbuing them with divinity, thereby creating a moral and spiritual imperative for their protection. The concept of Dharma itself—one's duty and conduct—is inseparable from an ecological responsibility.
Earth as Mother: The Atharva Veda contains the Bhumi Sukta, a powerful hymn to Mother Earth. A timeless verse from this hymn encapsulates the sustainable principle of resource extraction: "Whatever I dig from thee, O Earth, may that have quick replenishment; may my thrust never touch thy vital points, thy heart." This verse is a direct injunction against overexploitation and a call for a regenerative relationship with the planet.
The Five Elements (Panchamahabhutas): At the core of Vedic philosophy is the belief that the entire cosmos is composed of five great elements: Prithvi (Earth), Agni (Fire), Vayu (Air), Jala (Water), and Akasha (Space). These are not merely physical elements but divine forces, and their balance is essential for the sustenance of all life. The veneration of these elements, for instance, through the worship of rivers and trees, created an automatic system of conservation.
2. Teachings from the Upanishads and the Puranas
The Upanishads and Puranas further elaborate on these principles, providing a philosophical basis for environmental ethics. The Isha Upanishad provides a foundational teaching for environmental ethics: "The whole universe is pervaded by the Supreme Power. What is left over after enjoying what has been given to you, you should not covet." This verse promotes a philosophy of non-covetousness (aparigraha) and conservation, directly opposing the modern consumerist mindset. The Padma Purana declares, "A person who is engaged in killing creatures, polluting wells and ponds, and destroying gardens, certainly goes to hell," a powerful moral deterrent against environmental destruction.
Part II: Practices in Tradition, Religion, and Culture
This sacred wisdom was not confined to philosophical texts; it was woven into the very fabric of daily life through religious and cultural practices that remain vibrant today.
- The Living Archives: Sacred Groves (Devrai/Kavu)
One of the most powerful and enduring examples of traditional environmentalism is the concept of sacred groves. These are patches of forest or natural vegetation that are protected and venerated by local communities due to religious beliefs. Often dedicated to a deity, they are considered inviolable, with the felling of trees or hunting of animals strictly forbidden. They serve as living repositories of biodiversity, acting as gene pools for rare and endemic species. These groves are found across India, from the Devarkadu of Coorg to the Sarana of the tribal belts in Jharkhand and Odisha, demonstrating a widespread, grassroots commitment to conservation. - The Worship of Rivers, Trees, and Animals
The reverence for nature extends to specific natural entities that are a part of daily rituals:
Rivers: The Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, and other rivers are revered as deities, with festivals like Ganga Dussehra celebrating them. This cultural veneration has historically protected them from pollution, though the challenges of modern industrialization have severely tested this tradition.
Trees: The Banyan (Vata), Peepal (Ashvattha), and Tulsi are considered sacred. The Peepal, in particular, is worshipped for its ability to release oxygen even at night, a testament to an ancient understanding of its ecological function. The practice of planting a Sthalavriksha (sacred tree) in temple complexes is a form of local conservation.
Animals: The cow is revered as a sacred animal and a symbol of sustenance. The snake, lion, and tiger are often associated with deities, thereby affording them protection. The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan, who hold the blackbuck and Khejri tree sacred, are a living example of this reverence, demonstrating a deep symbiotic relationship with their environment. - Traditional Water Harvesting and Waste Management
Ancient Indian engineering and daily practices were highly attuned to resource conservation, showcasing an advanced understanding of environmental systems.
Stepwells (Baolis): The stepwells of Gujarat and Rajasthan, such as the Rani Ki Vav, were not just architectural marvels but sophisticated systems for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, ensuring water security in arid regions.
Minimalist and Zero-Waste Practices: The traditional Indian household, by its very design, practiced a circular economy. Old clothes were repurposed into quilts (Godhadis), food scraps were fed to animals or composted, and clay pots were returned to the earth. This ethos of "waste not, want not" was a cultural norm long before it became a global movement.
Part III: The Indigenous Wisdom of Indian Tribes
India's tribal communities, living in a symbiotic relationship with nature, are living examples of sustainable environmental governance. Their practices, passed down through generations, are a blueprint for ecological harmony.
- The Bishnoi Community: The Bishnois, guided by the 29 principles laid down by their Guru, are renowned for their fierce protection of the environment. Their martyrdom in the 18th-century Chipko movement (which they initiated long before the modern one) to save Khejri trees is a powerful tale of their ecological activism.
- The Apatani of Arunachal Pradesh: The Apatani tribe has a unique system of wet-rice cultivation integrated with fish farming in terraced fields. They have an intricate knowledge of water management and use organic methods to maintain soil fertility, demonstrating a high degree of agro-ecological resilience.
- The Khasi and Jaintia of Meghalaya: The Living Root Bridges (Jing Kieng Jri) are an incredible example of bio-engineering. The local people guide the roots of the rubber fig trees to grow into bridges over rivers, showcasing a profound partnership with nature rather than a conquest of it.
Part IV: Global Parallels and Shared Wisdom
The principles of indigenous environmentalism are not unique to India. Many tribal communities worldwide share a common heritage of reverence for nature, demonstrating a universal, pre-modern ecological consciousness.
- The Māori of New Zealand: The Māori concept of Kaitiakitanga refers to guardianship and stewardship of the environment. It's a responsibility to protect natural resources for future generations, a philosophy that resonates deeply with the Indian ideals of inter-generational equity and custodianship.
- The Yanomami of the Amazon: The Yanomami people view the forest as a sentient being, a living entity with which they have a spiritual and physical connection. Their traditional territories are managed through a deep understanding of forest ecology, protecting biodiversity. This mirrors the Indian concept of Devrai and the worship of forests.
- The Aborigines of Australia: The Dreamtime beliefs of the Aborigines are fundamentally connected to the land. Their practices of controlled burning (fire-stick farming) are a sophisticated form of land management that prevents large-scale bushfires and promotes new growth, a wisdom now being rediscovered by modern science. This parallels traditional Indian agricultural practices that have been finely tuned to local ecosystems.
Part V: The Visionaries and Architects of Modern India's Environmental Policy
India's traditional wisdom has been carried forward and integrated into modern policy by a line of influential leaders who recognized the profound link between development and the environment.
- Rabindranath Tagore's Holistic View: Tagore's environmental philosophy was rooted in the concept of holism. He believed that the disconnection of human beings from nature was the root cause of many modern problems. His university, Visva-Bharati, was founded on the principle of a holistic education in harmony with the natural world. He emphasized that humans are not separate from nature but an integral part of it and that true spiritual and intellectual fulfillment comes from this connection.
- Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru: The Duality of Progress
The environmental philosophies of Gandhi and Nehru, though seemingly different, represent a complex, and at times contradictory, approach to India's development. - Mahatma Gandhi's Philosophy of Sufficiency: Gandhi's environmentalism was not born out of a modern ecological movement but from a deep-seated spiritual and ethical belief. His famous quote, "The Earth has enough for everyone's need, but not for everyone's greed," is the cornerstone of his philosophy. He advocated for a minimalist, non-consumerist lifestyle and decentralized, village-based economies. His idea of "swadeshi" was not just about economic self-reliance but also about consuming locally produced goods to minimize the ecological footprint.
- Jawaharlal Nehru's Vision of Modernization: As the architect of modern India, Nehru championed large-scale industrialization, big dams, and scientific research. While his policies were often criticized for their ecological impact, his personal writings and speeches reveal a profound love for nature. He warned of the dangers of a society that "ignores the fact that nature cannot be trifled with." His legacy is a complex mix of an urgent drive for modernization and a prescient, albeit often overridden, environmental consciousness.
Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi: The Modern-Day Crusaders
Building on the foundation laid by their predecessors, both Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi have made significant contributions to shaping India's environmental narrative on the domestic and international stages.
Indira Gandhi's Global Foresight:
As Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi was a global pioneer in environmental diplomacy. At the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972, she was the only head of government present. Her seminal statement, "Poverty is the biggest polluter," profoundly influenced global environmental discourse. She argued that the environmental problems of developing nations were different from those of the industrialized world. This powerful declaration laid the intellectual groundwork for India's advocacy of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR). Her foresight also led to the establishment of the Department of Environment (now the MoEFCC) and the enactment of key environmental protection laws.
Narendra Modi's Proactive Initiatives:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure has been marked by a renewed focus on environmental sustainability, often framed in the context of India's traditional values. His call for a "people's movement" for a clean and green India, epitomized by the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), is a significant step towards behavioral change. On the global stage, he has been a vocal champion of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), showcasing India as a proactive partner in global climate action. His focus on Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) at COP26 is a powerful articulation of a modern approach rooted in ancient Indian values of mindful consumption and sustainability.
Conclusion: The Timeless Relevance of Tradition
Environmental conservation in India is not a new policy; it is a timeless tradition rooted in our culture, religion, and indigenous wisdom. The reverence for nature, enshrined in our ancient texts and manifested in our daily rituals, provided a de facto system of environmental governance long before the term was coined.
However, the rapid industrialization and population growth of the last few decades have strained these traditional systems to their breaking point. The challenges of climate change, pollution, and resource depletion are on an unprecedented scale. The wisdom of our ancestors serves not just as a source of pride, but as a critical blueprint for the future. The path forward lies in integrating this deep-rooted ecological ethos with modern scientific and technological solutions. The ultimate aim is to reignite the ecological consciousness that has been a part of our heritage, and to prove that for India, environmental conservation is not just a policy, but a living tradition. This is the challenge for the current generation, and the narrative of our future depends on our ability to meet it.
