Vedic, Pre-Vedic, Post-Vedic: Tracing Environmental Thought In Ancient India

Prateeksha Dwivedi, Legal Researcher, National Green Tribunal

INTRODUCTION: The Environment: A Complex Interplay

Our planet’s environment, an intricate blend of natural and human-made elements, sustains life. It encompasses air, water, land, living organisms, and the infrastructure we construct roads, industries, and buildings. Within this intricate web, the biosphere (including humans, plants, and animals) interacts with the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Our actions significantly impact this delicate balance, affecting the well-being of all living beings. Clean air, water, and land are essential for survival, underscoring our responsibility to preserve a safe and healthy environment for present and future generations.

Albert Einstein eloquently described the environment as “everything that is not me.” In simpler terms, we can define the environment as the sum total of all living and non-living elements and their effects that influence human life. Environmental laws play a pivotal role in this endeavor. These legal frameworks are designed to protect the environment from the adverse impacts of human activities. They provide guidelines, set standards, and establish mechanisms to ensure responsible conduct. As our understanding of environmental challenges evolves, so do these laws. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provides a comprehensive definition for the term “environment,” encompassing the interconnectedness of water, air, land, and living organisms.

In contemporary Sanskrit, the term “Paryavarana” encapsulates the environment—the encompassing surroundings that envelop us. The ancient Upnishads describe the universe as composed of five essential elements: Earth (Bhumi), Water (Jal), Light (Prakash), Air (Vayu), and Ether (Aakash). These elements interact harmoniously, maintaining a delicate equilibrium that sustains all living beings. The Sanskrit phrase “शा#तम्, 'कृ ित-मानव-स.तम्, स.तं खलु शा#तम्।” translates to “Eternal, the association between nature and humanity is indeed eternal.