Concept of the environment

 Concept of the environment:

Environment has everything to meet the needs of the individual and not the desire.  The writings in the Vedas and Upanishads clearly depict the idea of environment. Environment and development are two paradoxical situations which needs a balance from both the sides.

Sustainable development is the core concept in modern times for protection of environment and keeps up the pace of development. Environment in broader terms includes each and everything in the ecosystem and their relationship between each other.

Sustainable Development speaks the essence of balancing the needs of present and future generations, national and international perspectives clearly help us to understand the idea of protection of the environment and to give preference on development without altering the purpose and essence of which it is built.

IDEA OF ENVIRONMENT

Environment denotes totality of all extrinsic, physical and biotic factors effecting the life and behaviour of all living things. The word “Environment” is derived from the French word “Environmer”, means encircle and encompasses within it the land, water, flora, fauna, living creatures, forests and everything on the earth.

Industrialization and ever-growing technological development has caused damage to the environment to an alarming extent. The question of protection of environment is so important that it is regarded as a Human Right around the world.

The term “Environment” is sum of various phenomena the dynamism of this term defines its scope. A lot of attempt has been made to define Environment through various national and International instruments. Generally, environment comprises of natural resources, external conditions, stimuli etc., with which a living creature interrelates.

The Preamble of the UN Declaration on Human Environment states that: “Man is both creature and moulder of his environment, which gives him physical substance and affords him the opportunity for intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth”.

Environment is clearly defined under Clause 1 of the Section 2 (a) of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 as: “Environment includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists among and between water, air and land and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property”.

While Clause  2 of the Section 2(a) of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 gives the definitions for environmental pollution and environmental pollutants. “Environmental Pollution” means the presence in the environment of any environmental pollution. “Environmental pollutant” means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may be, or tend to be, injurious to environment.

ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL WRITTINGS

Ancient India and Environmental protection:

Environment protection has been 6000 years old tradition for the Indians. It was the “Dharma” for each individual in the society for protection of nature. The five important elements of nature called “Panchabhootas” were the divine incarnation for us. Natural resources management was given major importance in ancient India like conservation of water bodies, Protection of forests & wildlife were considered to be the important aspects of governance by the rulers and local people. Punishments were prescribed for causing injury to plants. According to evidences in Vedas and Kautilya’s Arthasasthra, different dynasties accorded top priority to environmental protection and sustainable use of its components. All of the tree parts were considered important and sacred and Kautilya fixed punishments based on the destruction of the specific part of the tree, some of the important trees were even elevated to the position of God.

The Rig-Veda establishes the symbolism of this close kinship when it says: ‘Heaven is my father; my mother is this vast earth, my close kin.’ Atharva-Veda contains the hymn - Bhumi Sukta – ‘in praise of the earth and invokes a balance: upon the immutable, vast earth supported by the law, the universal mother of the plants, peaceful and kind, may we ever walk for ever.’

In Mahabharata, in the Bhisma Parva, refers to the earth as an ‘ever-yielding cow’ provided its resources are developed and managed with balance and control: ‘If Earth is well looked after, it becomes the father, mother, children, firmament and heaven, of all creatures.’

The Rig Veda does mandates about Cow slaughter is a heinous crime equivalent to a human murder and those who commit this crime should be punished. Protection of animals and plants are clearly depicted in the ancient times. Forests, Wildlife and more particularly trees were held in high esteem and held a place of special reverence in Sanatan theology. The vedas, Puranas, Upanishads and other scriptures of the Sanatan religion gave a detailed description of trees, plants and wildlife and their importance to the people. The Rig Veda highlighted the potentialities of nature in controlling the climate, increasing fertility and improvement of human life emphasizing for intimate kinship with nature.

During the Vedic period, cutting of live trees was prohibited and punishment was prescribed for such acts. In Srimad Bhagavatam, it has been rightly pointed out that a man who with exclusive devotion offers respect to sky, water, earth, heavenly bodies, living beings, trees, rivers and seas and all created beings and considers them as a part of the body of the Lord attaints the state of supreme peace and God’s grace.

The Sages and Saints of India lived in forest. In the history, people’s attitude towards plants, trees, sky, air, water and animals was to keep a sympathetic attitude towards them. Sanatan Dharma instructed man to show reverence for presence of spirituality in nature. The flora and fauna, hills, mountains, rivers are worshiped as symbols of veneration. The cutting of trees, polluting air, water, and land were regarded as sins and they were to be respected as associated with gods and goddesses.

India possesses a great-diversified ecosystem including forests, wetlands, islands, estuaries, parks, landscapes, oceans and rich blend of variety of natural surroundings. Many customary or community practices were evolved by the ancestors to protect the environment. The efforts of the people in local community in conservation of natural resources quite deserve to eulogize.

In consequence to rapid industrialization, sophisticated science and technological advancement, increased population, urbanization, deforestation, indiscriminate utilization of natural resources etc., the traditional practices to preserve and conserve natural resources have not been taken seriously by the people in modern times which have resulted in environmental degradation. The phenomenon of environmental protection is not a new concept to the human civilization.

Hindutva said to be dealt with various aspects of nature and ways of worshipping the nature. It appears that the civilization of Mohenjodaro, Harappa and Dravidian civilization lived in consonance with its ecosystem and their small population and their needs maintained the harmony with the environment.

One who plant one pipal, one neem, one ber, ten flowering plants creepers, two pomegranates, two oranges and five mango trees will not go to hell. Similarly, several Hindu Gods and Goddesses have animals and birds as their associates.

Medieval India and Environment protection:

From the point of view of environment conservation, a significant contribution of various emperors of that time has been the establishment of magnificent gardens, fruit orchards and green parks, round about their places, central and provincial headquarters, public places, on the banks of rivers and in the valley and dales which they used as holiday resorts or places or temporary headquarters during the summer season.

Among the officials empowered for administration of justice by the kings and the emperors of India, Muhtasibs and Balutedars were vested with the duty of prevention of pollution. Main duty among others was to remove obstructions from the streets and to stop the commission of nuisance in public places. Also people were aware of tree plantations and lots of jungles were planted artificially during British era. During freedom struggle Gandhiji had given many ideas for recycling of the waste to produce organic fertilizers, papers which are still used by organisations such as Arbindo mission and even today’s Swachchha Bharat Abhiyan is based on the principles of recycling the waste given by Gandhiji. Gandhiji motivated many to consume vegan diet and only fruits diet.

Environmental protection during post-independence era:

The post-independence era witnessed a lot of changes in the policies and attitudes of the Governments with respect to environmental protection. Under the constitution various provisions directly or indirectly deals with environmental protection. Also there are many statutes enacted by the Parliament of India to achieve the goal of environment protection.

• Article 39(b), 47, 48, 49 of Constitution of India

• National Forest Policy, 1952

• Wild life Protection Act, 1972

• Project Tiger, 1973

• Under 42nd Amendment of the Constitution in 1976

• Forest conservation Act in 1980.

• Air (Prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1981

• Wild life (protection), 1983

• Environment (protection) Act, 1986

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