Environmental Ethics :
Religion and environment are closely related and Indian Culture and civilization provide direct evidence. In Indian, all the religions are always respected equally and all the religions have a common aim. “Live and Let Live”. The moto of Live and Let Live is not only confined for human community but it also concerns with movable – non movable, living – non living, nature and environment.
Indian Shastras like Ved, Purans, Upnishads and other texts have provision to worship Sun, Fire, Water, Air, Earth etc. The trees like Pipal, Bargad, Tulsi, Kela etc. are worshiped equivalent to God. “Kalpvrakshy had been the sign to full-fill the desires. To get desired result Aahuti are given in “Yagya””.
Our culture had been forest based, The Upnishads were written in the forests. The Himalaya is the place of Saints to meditate. The Ajanta and Alora caves, the fine examples of art, are situated in forest regions. The soul of India lives in forests.
Women in India on various occasions worship various trees that varies from region to region. The trees such as Bargad (Banyan), Kela, Pipal, Khejedi etc. are conserved through religion to protect the environment. Particularly, Tulsi make our environment maxim and clean.
Various animals are protected by symbolizing them as vehicle (Wahan) of Gods. Such as Peacock for Kartikey, Dog for Bhanrwa, Nandi for Lord Shiva, Lion for Durga, Owl for Lakshmi, Mouse for Lord Ganesha, Garuda (Eagle) for Lord Vishnu, Snake (Shesh Nag) for Earth, Swan for Sarwaswati etc. The elephant is a symbol of Ganesh itself.
The rivers are worshiped as goddesses. Now a days, human beings started releasing sewage and other dirtily (harmful) substances in the rivers and water bodies. Earlier, this act was considered to be a moral crime.
In Hindu mythology, trees are worshiped being house of Gods. They are protected in adverse environment conditions like summers and winters. Such as Pipal, Kela and Tulsi etc..
The leaves of Bilva trees (Belpatra) are very’ important while worshiping Lord Shiva. Neem tree is greeted by saying “Sarv Rog haro Nimb” which mean remove all dis-eases. It is prohibited to pluck leaves of any tree after evening. It is a crime to cut any green tree though the dried trees can be cut for domestic uses. Kadampa tree (Neolamarckia cadamba) is worshiped with faith being concern with Lord Krishna. Ashoka tree is considered as sacred and beatific as mata sita prayed Ashoka tree by saying “Taru Ashok mum karhoo Ashoka”. This is the importance of forest wealth in our hindu mythology. Matsya Purana States “Ten wells are equal to one pond; 10 ponds are equal to one lake; 10 lakes are equal to one son and 10 sons are equal to one tree”.
In Brahmin period, Aryans worshiped the nature. Dravidians considered “pushp chandan (flower Sandal)” sacred and they believed that havan (homan) removes pollution and the odor of pushp chandan makes the environment maxim(Aromatic). Aryans adopted this technique and even today Hindus worship trees, water, air and fire.
It mean to say that all religions for human welfare fol-lowed the principle “Vasudeva Kutumbakam” and “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah”. The essence of the teachings of all the religions of the word is to conserve all the parts of the nature for human welfare.
Exploitation of nature will lead to environmental pollution. The water, soil, air etc will get polluted as a result of bomb blasting, deforestation, over industrialization, sewage, use of pesticides etc. Hence, protection of the environment in view of human welfare should be an essential act. Since beginning in India, environmental concern remained key of sarvodaya philosophy “All the human beings remain happy, healthy and act jointly for human welfare”.
Soil, water, air, plants, animals etc are the primary constituents of the environment and their interaction lead to the healthy environment. Now a days, deforestation, pollution of air and water because of many types of pollutants degrading out environment.
The environmental imbalance causing ozone depletion, global warming, disturbed season cycle, loss of soil fertility and depletion of natural resources. Moreover, it resulted in drought, flood, increased diseases, soil erosion, desert expansion etc. The deforestation changing “green revolution” into “blood revolution”.
