Environmental Conservation in Indian Smriti Literature: Concept and Contemporary Relevance

Abstract

The term environment is widely prevalent across the world. Living beings are dependent on the environment; it encompasses all those factors that directly or indirectly influence life. The elements of the environment include trees, water, air, society, mountains, and living organisms. In fact, nature, environment, food, clothing, and other resources are essential for human survival, making the environment of utmost importance. However, environmental pollution has now become a matter of serious concern for environmentalists, thinkers, scientists, and society at large across the globe. This issue is increasingly assuming alarming proportions day by day. Although there are several causes behind this problem—such as population growth, lack of sanitation facilities, and poverty—deforestation appears to be one of the primary causes of environmental degradation at present. In view of this situation, environmentalists around the world are making efforts toward environmental conservation. Scholars are actively discussing these issues in various academic forums and workshops. Governments are also paying increasing attention to environmental protection, and approvals from environmental authorities have become mandatory in various sectors of development and construction. In this context, it is worth examining what kind of analysis is available in Sanskrit literature, particularly in Smriti texts, regarding environmental concerns and conservation.