Environmental Management

Paryavaran Vigyan
(Environmental Sciences)
Dr. Urjita Sheth
Ancient Indian Approach to Environment
• Vedas: According to Vedas, protection and worship if nature is the Dhrama (duty/responsibility) of every
individual.
• Rigveda:
• The universe consists of five elements. These are Earth, Water, Air Fire and Space.
• Hindus consider that both man and nature is one and same as they are made up of these ‘Panch Bhutas’.
• Atharvaveda:
• Pure water cures many ailments and it acts as preventer of the diseases.
• It also states that one can take from the earth and nature only so much as one puts back into them. This
concept is related to with present day principle of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources.
• Yajurveda:
• Yajna makes atmosphere free from impurities and stink.
• Yajnas were performed to purify the surrounding air, to keep the environment healthy and to satisfy the God
of water (Varun) to get rains.
• Samaveda:
• Yajna helps in keeping away the mosquitoes and other insects, which are harmful to the health of mankind.
• Shrimad Bhagwat Gita:
• Shloka 14 of chapter 3 makes it clear that all the living beings are depend on food/cereal
but cereal grows because of water that rains and rains are brought about through yajna or
sacrificial fire. and that cereals consumed by human beings which further creates human
being and so, this cycle continuous.
• Smritis (600-200 BC)
• Manusmriti: prescribed the optimum use f natural resources. This is another way to maintain
ecosystem. It also prescribed a hard punishment for those who kills cattle.
• Yagyavalkya Smriti and Charak Smriti: Killing of bords and animals was strictly prohibhited.
Cutting of trees was a punishable offence.
BRITISH RULE
Environmental Sustainability Lessons from Ancient India
By Vineet Mittal
• India has an ancient tradition of protecting the environment.
• Most ancient texts teach us that it is the Dharma of everyone in any society to protect nature.
• This is why people have always worshipped the objects of nature.
• Trees, water, land, and animals have an important mention in our ancient texts.
• We are aware that the ecology and environment, which includes the air, earth, water, plants,
and animals, are essential to maintaining both human life and civilization.
• Only when there is constant cooperation amongst different stakeholders to make the most
sustainable use of the world’s natural resources and assume responsibility for preventing
environmental degradation and damage will human civilization be able to flourish.
• In addition to cancer, which is getting worse every day, people are suffering from pollution,
imbalance in environmental cycles, typhoid, cholera, jaundice, hepatitis and other water and air
borne diseases.
• 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.
“माता भू म पु ह
ु ान पृ या”
“Earth is my mother and I am her son.”
• The Sanskrit shloka indicates the relationship of humans with the earth comparing it to a
mother and child inferring that one should not harm either the environment or its flora and
fauna.
• For instance, Kautilya wrote a treatise on economics and statecraft in the 4th century BC called
the Artha Shastra.
• It contains comprehensive guidelines for managing forests, with a focus on their preservation
for future generations.
• Similarly, the Chola, Solanki, and Asaf Jahi dynasties were among the ancient leaders who
used creative and long-lasting methods to manage the resources at hand.
• Advanced irrigation and water management systems developed by the Indus Valley
Civilization are examples of innovations.
The Vedic Insights
• The Vedas, ancient Hindu texts, teach us to respect nature.
• For instance, the Atharvaveda asserts that pure air is a medicine, highlighting the importance of
maintaining air quality.
• Similarly, the Rigveda also speaks of a protective layer around the Earth, akin to the modern
concept of the ozone layer, warning against actions that could damage this natural shield.
• Now let’s delve deep into the sustainability practices that was a part of our culture since time
immemorial.
• Waste Management: In ancient India, waste was not seen as waste. It served as a source for
compost, an organic farming manure. The recycling of waste products was the primary goal of
the waste management techniques.
• Earthen Utensils: Earthen utensils are a permanent part of Indian cooking and using it is more
nutritious as they add minerals such as calcium and phosphorus to the food. The same idea has
gained popularity among the Vegan community.
• Health and Wellness practices- Ancient Indians civilisation had recognized the importance of a
healthy lifestyle and believed that health and wellness were interconnected with nature.
Practices like yoga, Ayurveda, and meditation were used to promote physical and mental
well-being.
• Plant-based Products: To reduce waste, our forefathers used to use neem sticks as toothbrushes
and combs. Likewise, Reetha or Soap Nuts were used as shampoo.
• Eco-Friendly Cooling Systems: One of the main sources of emissions of CFCs
(chlorofluorocarbons) is refrigerators and the main cause for the depletion of the Ozone Layer.
In ancient India, earthen pot was used for natural cooling technology.
• The ecological sustainability of ancient India was approached in a profound and useful way.
These practices, which were based on a profound respect for the natural world and an
awareness of ecological interdependence, guaranteed the survival and well-being of human
societies as well as the environment. By going over and incorporating these ancient teachings
again, we can create more sustainable policies and ways of living that respect the fragile
balance of our planet. The knowledge found in old Indian manuscripts serves as a helpful
reminder that environmental stewardship is a timeless duty that is essential to the welfare of
coming generations.

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Paryavaran Vigyan

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