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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