Environmental Ethics in Indian Philosophy: Lessons for Sustainable Development

Ancient Indian philosophy and Ayurveda embed environmental ethics in water, soil, and spirit.
As India advances climate resilience and sustainable farming, these teachings offer a moral framework for governance and policy.
UPSC relevance: Connects philosophical thought, sustainability, and climate action.

Nature as consciousness: Caring for Earth is a sacred duty (Dharma).
Holistic worldview: Pancha Mahabhutas link human and planetary health.
Moral stewardship: Harm to soil, water, or air = harm to self.
Ahimsa & interdependence: All beings, elements, and microbes deserve non-violence and respect.
Spiritual sustainability: Practices like rainwater harvesting, seasonal cropping, and sacred groves arise from this ethos.

Vedic/Upanishadic: Universe as a sacred organism; “Mata Bhumih Putro Aham Prithivyah” promotes Earth stewardship.
Ayurveda: Environmental health is essential for human well-being; soil, water, and air are living entities.
Jainism: Ahimsa extends to all life; Aparigraha models restraint and coexistence.
Buddhism: Nature is interdependent; compassion (Karuna) guides sustainable action.
Sikhism: Guru Nanak’s “Pavan Guru, Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat” teaches environmental care as devotion (Seva).

Deep Ecology: All life has intrinsic value; supports ecocentrism.
Utilitarian Environmentalism: Decisions weighed by human benefit; e.g., cost-benefit analyses.
Ecofeminism: Links exploitation of nature and women; emphasizes care and interconnectedness.

Commercialisation of spirituality (Ahimsa/Dharma reduced to marketing).
Urban alienation: Loss of connection with natural rhythms.
Policy-practice gap: Laws measure compliance, not ethical responsibility.
Cultural dilution: Pollution and overconsumption violate Vedic ecological principles.
Climate-modernity dilemma: Balancing growth and ecological restraint.

Education: Include Vedic ecology, Panchabhuta harmony, and Ahimsa in NEP 2020.
Policy fusion: Link Ayurveda principles with Jal Jeevan, Namami Gange, PM-PRANAM.
Community stewardship: Engage temples, panchayats, faith trusts.
Technology for wisdom: Use AI, GIS, satellite mapping to protect sacred sites.
Global advocacy: Showcase Ecological Dharma at COP-30 and UNESCO.

Prakriti (Nature) and Atman (Self) reflect a unified consciousness.
Harmonising water, soil, and spirit transforms environmental protection into spiritual evolution.
India can pioneer a global ethic of compassionate sustainability, integrating moral duty and ecological stewardship.