APRIL 20, 2020

By M G Kodandaram, IRS (Retd.)

Environmental concerns

TODAY, world over, the human being is breathing in an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty. The outbreak of epidemic in the form of Corona has terrified everyone. As experts aver, the root cause of this deadly disease is the destruction or damaging of the equilibrium amongst the natural habitats, both biotic and non-biotic (physical or non-living) sources, by human beings, without any hindrance and concern for others. When we look into the reasons for these tragedies, it is factual and fair to conclude that there is something wrong on the part of the human being's way of living on this planet. In simple terms, the unethical and unprincipled approach of residents towards use of common resources is the root cause for the catastrophe. The pollution of common goods like air, water, soil and land together with over-exploitation of fauna and flora by the humans has paved way for destabilisation.

The Environment or the eco-system, being the grand total of conditions that surrounds us at a given point of time and space, comprises of the interacting systems of physical, biological and cultural elements which are interlinked both individually and collectively. It influences the growth and development of living organism. The renowned British primatologist Ms. Jane Goodall says that the Coronavirus pandemic was caused by humanity's disregard for nature and disrespect for animals. She further states - "It is our disregard for nature and our disrespect of the animals we should share the planet with that has caused this pandemic, which was predicted long ago. Because as we destroy, let's say the forest, the different species of animals in the forest are forced into a proximity and therefore diseases are being passed from one animal to another, and that second animal is then most likely to infect humans as it is forced into closer contact with humans". But the human being continues his tirade against mother earth unabated.

In current times, humans on earth are suffering from pollution, imbalance in environmental cycles, virus infections, typhoid, cholera, jaundice, hepatitis and other water and air borne diseases in addition to cancer. Environmental degradation due to deforestation, siltation, air, land, insanitation, water and noise pollution all pose a grave threat not only to the quality of human life but also to its basic survival. Unless we protect the basic commons from pollution, we cannot protect ourselves.

In this civilised society, as tools to enforce such a regime, we do have environmental laws, policies, international treatise and protocols in place. The Environmental Law is expected to play a very crucial role in regulating the use of natural resources with a view to protect the environment. We have plenty of such international treaties and agreements in place but we have failed to enforce and preserve this earth intact. Therefore, there is need for changing the approach of individuals towards the protection of earth, the author feels.

Environmental ethics

'Ethics' generally means the branch of philosophy associated with wisdom, intellectual culture and a search for knowledge. Environmental ethics deals with the moral relationship between humans and the natural resources. Environmental ethics is the guiding force that should make every human to take care of their surroundings.

"We already have - thanks to technology, development, skills, the efficiency of our work - enough resources to satisfy all human needs. But we don't have enough resources, and we are unlikely ever to have, to satisfy human greed." says Mr. Zygmunt Bauman , the British sociologist and philosopher.

As of now, on the environmental protocols to be followed by a human being, two major Philosophical approaches are identified, which are termed as anthropocentric approach and eco-centric approach. In anthropocentric approach, it is believed that the humans are the dominant and important species on the planet earth. With its origin in western philosophies and religions, the power to manipulate and use nature for their own benefits is vested with the human beings who think that the welfare of the human beings is to be promoted at all expenses and sacrifices, of other species and entities. This un-ethical approach has brought us to the present day concerns of our environment. I brand this as the criminal approach, as this will exhaust all resources and destroy the ecological equilibrium of the earth. But in the other approach, known as the eco-centric, the followers believe that the humans have ethical responsibility towards future generations and are the 'stewards or caring managers' who must leave the earth in a good condition. We must always note that the humans cannot erode the earth completely, but the planet can destroy us in entirely and it is our basic necessity to protect the environment so that we can ensure our survival, and prevent ourselves being perished. The honorable Supreme Court, in the case of Centre For Environment Law v. Union of India & Others, [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 337 of 1995, decided on 15 April 2013], while giving effect to the various provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, laid down that the policy should be eco-centric and not anthropocentric. "The Sustainable development, it has been argued by various eminent environmentalists, clearly postulates an anthropocentric bias, least concerned with the rights of other species which live on this earth. Anthropocentrism is always human interest focused thinking that non-human has only instrumental value to humans, in other words, humans take precedence and human responsibilities to non-human are based benefits to humans. Eco-centrism is nature-centered, where humans are part of the nature and non-humans have intrinsic value. In other words, human interest does not take automatic precedence and humans have obligations to non-humans independently of human interest. Eco-centrism is, therefore, more nature-centered, that includes both humans and non-humans," the Apex court asserted.

So, we can conclude that among the above two approaches, the second one is fairer enough to be followed. But, is this sufficient to protect the earth is the larger point that needs to be considered.

Deep ecology

It is true that unless a fair equilibrium is maintained in the natural ecosystems on the earth between different components through various processes, including assimilation and recycling, the natural resources get polluted and perish. The over-exploitation of natural resources by growing human population has upset the natural balance. Whether the human being has equipped himself with complete knowledge about species of fauna and flora on this earth and the role played by them in maintaining equilibrium of the mother earth, so that he can decide what is good and what is bad for the earth? The answer is always in the negative and, therefore, the author feels that it is better to leave it to the natural ecology to exist as it is. The damages that continue to occur clearly indicate that we have to go for a holistic environmental approach as being followed by our ancient civilizations. The deep ecology approach, which is based on the equality to all living beings, by modern environmentalists, is more akin to ancient wisdom and more appropriate to bring back the glory of the earth.

This is the best approach, since it brings the thinking, feeling, spirituality and action together to restore the health of the earth. The challenge of living in harmony with the earth is as old as human society itself. For an equitable share we must have equal responsibilities. In this approach, all elements of nature are stated to be having equal rights like a human cherishes, to remain in their natural form without being harmed.

Harmonious living with nature

India has the heritage of ecological consciousness endowed and endeared by its religion and culture. The Indian philosophy aims at not only the well being of all humans but also of all beings by providing rights for all such persons on this earth. The Sanskrit verse heralds the primary theme of these ethics by stating, "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Nirmayah". Not mere words, but the day-to-day living and Traditional practices of our ancestors have been environment friendly. Rivers, mountains, sky and land are respected at par with the Creator.

Ancient generations knew that different constituents of the environment co-exist with set relationships with one another. According to the Upanishads, the universe consists of five basic elements viz. (i) Earth or land, (ii) Water, (iii) Light or luster, (iv) Air and (v) Ether. The nature, on its own, maintains a status of balance between and among these five constituents or elements and living creatures. Any disturbance in any constituent of the environment beyond certain limits disturbs the natural balance which causes problems to the living creatures.

During the ancient times, say in the Vedanta period, the approach revolved around the right balance between environment, nature and life. The study of ancient texts clearly depict that pure water, air, food, environment, etc., are essential for good health and happiness, and hence they sensed the presence of divinity in all of them. Keeping the environmental scenario unpolluted, clean and peaceful was a bounden duty of the then humans. The oldest and simplest form of Nature-worship finds expression in these words. Here worship should not be understood in the literal sense, but as a connecting factor, between individuals and the nature. It is also a tradition that all deities of our religions are depicted as having the birds, animals or similar natural beings as their escorts. They get equal reverence on par with the deities during religious meets. The inward reverences towards these natural resources help us to realise our role on this earth much better.

Conclusions

Mahatma Gandhi once wrote, "The greatness of a Nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated". Humans are dependent on other organisms, plants and animals, for their survival and, therefore, should exhibit a higher responsibility towards them. The earth is our home and home for all other living and non-living beings too. We need to remember the adage "live and let live".

We are duty bound to defend our planet from any harm and if it is wounded we have to assist in its recovery. We are aware that the Bishnois of Rajasthan had once upon a time laid down their lives to protect the local Khejri trees. If the common man is aware of what is going on at the local and national level, then alone decision making by the authorities can be influenced. For this we have to reach out to the citizens with our traditional belief system with scientific reasoning so as to create awareness on environmental ethics to be practiced. And if we fail to act now to restore ethical values, the earth may further deteriorate, making it unlivable.

(The author is former IRS, Assistant Director, NACIN (Retd), ADVOCATE and CONSULTANT. The views expressed are strictly personal.)