The concept of environmental protection in Indian culture(EN)

The concept of environmental conservation in Indian culture is as ancient as Indian culture itself. This wonderful relationship between humanity and nature was contemplated extensively by sages and seers. Therefore, the importance of nature is also demonstrated in our Vedas and scriptures. The eulogies of nature in Vedic hymns confirm that the primary goal of our culture has been the conservation, not the exploitation, of nature. Our country, India, has inherited a rich cultural heritage that guides every human being towards refinement, behavioral improvement, and adherence to scriptural paths. Culture is the concept of an enlightened human mind that lays the foundation for socialization in one's life and inspires future generations to follow it. Since ancient times, the essence of our culture has been that of a 'tapovana' (forest hermitage), nurtured in forest areas, with a strong influence of spirituality. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore referred to Indian culture as 'Aranya Sanskriti' (forest culture), in which unconditional love, compassion, empathy, harmony, and reverence for nature are readily felt. In our culture, nature has been given the status of God, and humans are considered children of nature. The Atharvaveda states, 'Māta bhūmiḥ putro 'haṁ prthivyāḥ,' meaning that this earth nourishes all beings like a mother, and I, like a son, am its protector. The Matsya Purana equates one tree to ten sons: 'Daśakūpasamāvāpī, daśavāpīsamarmohadaḥ. Daśahadasamo patrauḥ, daśaputrasamo vṛkṣaḥ.' Meaning, one well is like ten wells, ten wells are like a pond, ten ponds are like a son, and ten sons are like a tree. Our body itself is created from the five environmental elements. To clarify the harmony between the human body and the environment, Tulsidasji wrote in the Kishkindha Kanda of his divine work, Shri Ramcharitmanas: 'Kṣiti jala pāvaka gagana samīrā. Pañca tattva mili vana sarīrā.' The importance of trees in India is undeniable. Our scriptures praise numerous medicinal trees that are revered as deities and conserved, such as the banyan, peepal, and tulsi trees. These trees are worshipped in our culture, and their medicinal value is also described in the medical branch. Therefore, the sentiment of environmental conservation is naturally present in our culture. In India, the love for nature among women has been famous since the Vedic period, including numerous Rishi mothers and other women. In Kalidasa's 'Abhijñānaśākuntalam,' the profound love for nature of Shakuntala, Priyamvada, and Anasuya is depicted. Parvati, the daughter of Pashupatinath, was herself the daughter of nature. There are numerous anecdotes through which the love for nature in Indian culture can be understood. In the Vedic period, humanity was able to establish concepts like 'Jīvema śarada śatam' (may we live a hundred autumns) simply by undertaking various forms of environmental conservation. Our Indian culture believes that the human body is created from five elements and that these five elements cause auspicious and inauspicious effects in life. Therefore, protecting these five elements is considered the supreme duty of humankind. Thus, it becomes clear that in our Indian culture, the land, biosphere, and hydrosphere all received protection, and human religious sentiments were also associated with them, constantly motivating people towards environmental conservation. In the present materialistic age, science has made great strides in industrial progress, transforming the environment due to industrialization. Ambitious humans, in the race for material comforts, paved the way for environmental destruction, which now threatens human existence. Urban culture is constantly consuming the rural culture. A vivid depiction of this is found in Kalidasa's 'Abhijñānaśākuntalam,' where Kalidasa writes that when King Dushyanta's chariot enters the forest, the dust raised by the chariot wheels soils the ascetics' clothes, and the noise of the chariot frightens the elephants in the forest, causing the creepers to break. This depicts the encroachment of urbanization into the peaceful environment of forests. By chasing modernity, we are endangering our lives. Our Indian culture has always been sensitive to the environment. Their mutual harmony and balance establish Shiva (welfare) in nature. Therefore, protecting nature should be our first priority. Our Indian culture also includes Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, Sita, born from the earth, and Shakuntala, raised by birds. Our literary text 'Ritusamhara' also shows the effect of the seasonal cycle on human life. The position given to the environment in our Indian culture is one that gives life to us and our generations, but if we forget this and chase modernity, it will become the cause of destruction for both creation and humanity. Our ancestors were very sensitive towards environmental conservation; similarly, we too need to conserve the environment to keep our lives safe and healthy. In fact, in today's era of globalization, humans have become so selfish that they see all the products of the environment from the point of view of utility. Even while living in nature and the natural environment, despite being knowledgeable, they remain ignorant of the relationship between the environment and humans. Instead of conserving trees, forests, and nature, they are engaged in exploiting them according to their needs, which is creating a threat to their own lives. On the relationship between nature and humans in the present time, J. Krishnamurti wrote, 'Understanding our relationship with nature is as difficult as understanding our relationship with our neighbor, water, and children, but we never think about it.' The views of Shri J. Krishnamurti confirm that if we truly love nature or the environment, we must exercise complete caution in its use. While it is also true that in this age of globalization, it is difficult to change urban culture into rural culture, yet the legacy of rural culture can be preserved. Our Indian culture, which embodies social harmony, sensitivity, moral values, and ethical conduct, can be revived, connecting humanity to it. For this, we need to become sensitive to the well-being of all humanity; then, we will be able to understand the mutual relationship between humans and the environment. The real beginning of environmental awareness in modern India started with the Human-Environment Conference held in Stockholm. In this, the Indian Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi, participated and gave a new direction to environmental conservation. She spoke about Emperor Ashoka, who promoted environmental conservation. She said that humans should exploit the environment only as much as they can replenish it. Many more movements have taken place in India for environmental conservation, with the Chipko movement being prominent. The Narmada Bachao Andolan, the Chilika Bachao Andolan, the Ganga Mukti Andolan, and the Pani Panchayats, etc., are many movements run by environmental lovers who gave a new direction to environmental conservation awareness. These include the Bishnoi movement, the Chipko movement, the Appiko movement, and the Silent Valley movement. Their main objective was to protect and conserve forests, as well as to protect biodiversity and ensure the participation of ordinary people in forest resources. Indian religion, culture, and traditions give special importance to the environment. Our Indian culture is the oldest culture and civilization in the world. When there was no trace of culture and civilization in the world, our Indian culture was full of richness. Our sages and seers had established harmony with nature through the power of yoga and knowledge, having learned to live according to nature – this was the main mantra of our culture. Finally, in the present context, it would be relevant to say that we need to revive the relationship between Indian culture and the environment in a thoughtful manner, because Indian culture can only make its mark in the world if the environmental elements inherent in our culture are given priority. Because our welfare lies in the conservation and promotion of the environment, not in tampering with or excessively exploiting nature. This will lead human existence to the abyss of destruction, which can only be called nature's retaliation.