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"The Earth has music for those who listen." - William Shakespeare.

For centuries, our forefathers have lived in harmony with the natural world. They would incorporate rituals and practices that, in many ways, have preserved nature. We have consumed the fruit of their efforts without being grateful. We need to remember the value of nature, which remains crucial to our survival. But we have stopped listening.

Our generation has already received a blow from the recent pandemic. We need to pay attention to our planet for humankind to thrive. The urgency with which international climate summits are working is worth noticing. Last year, Dubai hosted the UNFCCC's Conference of the Parties (COP28). The significant decision of the event was to ‘operationalize’ the Loss and Damage Fund. According to our Ministry of Environment, several countries have pledged to contribute. Their website says, “The purpose of the Fund is to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in responding to economic and non-economic loss and damage (...)"

As we have noticed many events are in motion to manage drastic climate change. We are witnesses to the selfless efforts of our environmental activists. Both in our country and abroad. But there is one faction that is equally contributing to the global movement: writers and authors.

Literature has encouraged and awakened people, leaving a mark on the readers. Some nature enthusiasts or environmentalists have used literature to convey their message. Writers have often penned down their thoughts about safeguarding our planet. When the environment finds a place in literature, the result is eco-literature. Or environmental literature. It is a genre of writing that explores the relationship between humanity and nature. And it often reminds us of our negligence and taken-for-granted attitude toward it.

In this article, we will be taking a peek into Indian and Western eco-literature. There will be a few mentions of the books that made a positive impact.

History of Eco-Literature in India:

It is worth discussing that eco-literature has a long and rich history in India. The ancient Hindu texts can be viewed through this lens and categorized under eco-literature. A close study of the Vedas, and epics will reveal reverence for nature. There are multiple instances wherein a critical message has been attempted to pass on to humans. The message of safeguarding and respecting our environment; of being grateful for what Earth has offered humankind.

The texts also describe man’s inherent relationship with elements of nature or panch mahabhoota. There are hymns to seek blessings from these elements to balance the body and soul. To show the significance of our natural elements, these ancient texts have related each element to a Devta or a God. Fire is represented by AgniDev, air by VāyuDev, and so on. Our Earth is the Bhoo Devi. As a result of man’s devotion to the Devtas, these elements have remained sacred and valuable over centuries.

In addition to this, all the Vedas have mentioned the balance between the seasons and how they affect humans. The festivals around the shift in seasons act as a medium to connect with the natural world. Similarly, these texts have given special importance to certain plants, animals, and birds. Perhaps this could be the reason why they have been well-preserved. For instance, consider the tulsi plant. In many such ways, the ancient texts have shaped the culture around nature.

To take an example, if we look into the Atharva Veda, we will find the Bhumi Sukta. It acknowledges the gifts of the Earth. And emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with our natural surroundings. To quote,

“Asambaadham Badhyato Maanavaanaam Yasyaa Udvatah Pravatah Samam Bahu |
Naanaa-Viiryaa Ossadhiiryaa Bibharti Prthivii Nah Prathataam Raadhyataam Nah.”

The above lines praise Mother Earth for giving freedom to humankind in the form of mountains, slopes, and plains. She is said to have many plants and medicinal herbs of various potencies. It seeks these riches for humans and says may Mother Earth grant it.

A part of another verse from the same Sukta goes,

“...Maataa Bhuumih Putro Aham Prthivyaah |
Parjanyah Pitaa Sa U Nah Pipartu.”

It translates to, Bhoomi Mata, I am the Son of Mother Earth, Parjanya (Rain God) is my Father, may he fill us with the Vital Power.

Likewise, other verses in the Vedas encourage humankind to respect other living beings. Furthermore, Manusmriti, or the laws of Manu, states that plants have consciousness. They experience pleasure and pain.

In the same way, the ancient Hindu epics are rich in Nature. There are endless references to forests, boon-granting waterbodies, majestic mountains, and caves. In Ramayana and Mahabharat, nature serves as a refuge, a battleground, and a witness to significant events.

We cannot fail to mention Ayurveda or the traditional system of medicine. There are references to plenty of species of flora and fauna with healing powers. Humans have preserved this knowledge for centuries. It points to the importance of a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. As a result, humans have learned the value of these flora and fauna. And this has protected their species on Earth.

Eco-Literature in Modern India:

On the same note, if we move further in time with our discussion on Eco-Literature, we witness a diverse field. Modern Indian eco-literature (in English) encompasses a wide range of genres. From novels and poetry to short stories and essays. But the major themes remain the same, which include,

  • The impact of climate change.
  • The rights of Indigenous people.
  • The need for sustainable development.
  • The spiritual connection between humans and nature.

Kamala Markandya’s novel Nectar in Sieve (1954) narrates the influence of Nature on Humankind. She writes,

“Nature is like a wild animal that you have trained to work for you. So long as you are vigilant and walk warily with thought and care, so long will it give you its aid; but look away for an instant, be heedless and forgetful, and it has you by the throat.”

India’s most loved writer, Ruskin Bond’s work, cannot be left out when talking about eco-literature. He is known to have a deep connection with the hills. His stories are idyllic portrayals of the Himalayan foothills. He writes in his notes from the Himalayas,

“It is always the same with mountains. Once you have lived with them for any length of time, you belong to them. There is no escape.”

But he doesn’t leave out his concerns. He mentions the impact of development on the region's delicate ecosystem. His stories, right from his initial years, like ‘An Island of Trees’ and ‘No Room for a Leopard', have shown us the impact of human interference on nature. We also find a sense of nostalgia and eventual acceptance of such developments in his work. He seems to miss the slow-paced life, the beauty, and the calmness. Surprisingly, even his oldest stories still resonate with us. The vanishing rivers, the construction of dams, deforestation to clear land for buildings, changing weather, and floods remain a concern. He writes,

"Rivers, rocks, trees, plants, animals, and birds all play their part, both in mythology and everyday worship. This harmony is most evident in remote places like this, and I hope it does not lose its unique character in the ruthless urban advance."

Another well-known Indian author, Amitav Ghosh, has extensively written about the threats to natural habitats. One such example is his novel, The Hungry Tide (2004). It explores the impact of climate change on the Sundarbans mangrove forest and the displacement of natives. The novel has received international recognition as well. And so have his other works on similar themes. The Gun Island (2019) explores the impact of climate change on a fictional island community. His nonfiction, The Nutmeg's Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis (2021), is equally impressive.

Another instance of Eco-Literature in India is Arundhati Roy’s novel, The God of Small Things. It focuses on a specific environmental issue. She relates the flow of the river's water to her characters' freedom. In this way, she writes about how the natural flow of the river is obstructed by the construction of dams.

Latitudes of Longing (2020), written by Shubhangi Swarup, explores themes of the connection between humans and the natural world.

Unruly Waters by Sunil Amrith, a nonfictional work can be considered eco-literature even though it tells history. It informs the reader about the way the water bodies of Asia have shaped the socio-political history of the land. It talks about the construction of several dams across India to restrict or divert the natural flow.

Factors that led to the rise of Eco-Literature in India:

It is not difficult to chalk out the factors that have encouraged writers in India to pen literary works on our environment and its degradation by certain human practices that have caused sudden climate change. We will find a history of natural disasters in India: the Great Bengal Famine of 1770, the Odisha Cyclone of 1999, the Gujarat Earthquake of 2001, the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, the Bihar Floods of 2007, the Uttarakhand Flash Floods in 2013, and the Kashmir Floods in 2014.

In 2023, a UN agency released information that “In India, 573 disasters reportedly killed 1,38,377 people between 1970 and 2021.” (Economics Times)

The Indian subcontinent has been vulnerable due to the Himalayas in the north and three water bodies to its east, west, and south. The increase in the land temperature has made the Himalayan plates move, the glaciers melt, and the Himalayan rivers flood. On the plains, the extreme temperature has caused rivers and their tributaries to dry up. Uncontrolled forest fires have also become a reoccurring problem in India. 

According to a report published by Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, '95% of forest fires are caused by humans.'

Longer droughts due to less rainfall have also been another issue. Similarly, more than average rain is causing landslides and floods in the north. There has been an evident rise in sea levels in eastern and western India. The coastal areas have borne the brunt on many occasions. Unchecked greenhouse gas emissions and mass deforestation have ruined the air quality around major Indian cities.

In addition, migration has put pressure on already strained natural resources.

“According to the 'State of India's Environment-2022' report, India ranks as the fourth worst-affected country globally in terms of climate change-induced migration, with over three million people forced to abandon their residences in the year 2020–2021." (Wikipedia)

No wonder India has many reasons to worry about the future ecological condition.

Eco-Literature in the West:

The 19th-century American literary movement, transcendentalism is considered to have laid the groundwork for environmental writers. It encouraged people to connect with nature and believe in their inner selves. Divinity in nature was one of its principles. Also, it explained that it is possible to understand reality by studying nature.

Ralph Waldo Emerson led this movement and wrote an essay, ‘Nature’ in 1836. He begins the essay by stating that nature is a reflection of humankind. To quote from the essay,

“In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life—no disgrace, no calamity, (leaving me my eyes,) which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground—my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space—all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing. I see all. The currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God.”

In 1949, American naturalist Aldo Leopold wrote A Sand County Almanac. It was influential enough to kick off the American conservation movement. Aldo emphasized the importance of a healthy and responsible relationship with nature. He writes, 

"The problem, then, is how to bring about a striving for harmony with land among a people many of whom have forgotten there is any such thing as land, among whom education and culture have become almost synonymous with landlessness. This is the problem of conservation education."

Rachel Carson’s 1962 nonfiction, Silent Spring, stirred debate around environmental issues. It intensified awareness among people. She had targeted the use of chemical pesticides on agricultural land.

The 21st-century work The Overstory (2018) by Richard Powers is an "impassioned work of activism and resistance..." (Goodreads) A quote from the book tells us all, 

“This is not our world with trees in it. It's a world of trees, where humans have just arrived.”

Factors that led to the rise of Eco-Literature in the West:

To find out what led to the rise in eco-literature in the West, one can study T.S. Eliot’s famous work, The Waste Land (1922). Or that of other modernist poets and writers of English. Or the British post-war works of the likes of W.H. Auden. Their works were social commentary and reflected disillusionment after the World Wars. Increasing industrial development that threatened the natural habitat was also an important factor.

In the late 1970s, literary scholar William Rueckert introduced the term, "ecocriticism." The Wasteland soon became an important subject for ecocriticism. To quote a few lines from the poem,

"What are the roots that clutch,
what branches grow
Out of this stony rubbish?"

A detailed research paper on ecocriticism states that Eliot’s poem ‘shows a clear interest and comparison in the natural world and nineteenth-century environmental issues. As a bystander of two world wars and the rise of modernity in Western society, he recognized a destructive change in the relationship between humans and non-human living things.’

I also see the 1975 novel The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey as a comic form of eco-criticism. It was a ‘call to protect the American wilderness,’(Goodreads) by protesting against environmentally harmful activities in Southern United States. It gathered immense popularity in its time and the author was later named an ‘underground cult hero’ who inspired various environmentalists in the West.

Other factors that contributed to the rise in eco-literature in the West include the rise in social movements to advocate environmental protection and sustainable living.

Authors’ take on Eco-Literature:

Some authors, both in India and abroad, have spoken about eco-literature and its urgent need. 

Amitav Ghosh has said that eco-literature can bridge the gap and foster a deeper understanding of our connection to the environment. He has mentioned about ‘the traditional separation’ between humans from nature has caused the ‘climate crisis.’

Canadian writer, Margaret Atwood has said, “We need new stories that can accommodate the kind of future we are facing on this planet. Eco-literature forces us to confront environmental challenges and imagine alternative ways of living.”

Simply worrying about the loss and destruction of our environment isn’t enough. The authors of Eco-Literature want us to create awareness, identify the root cause, and find inspiration to protect what remains.

The American science fiction novelist Kim Stanley Robinson has said,

“While raising awareness is important, eco-literature should also challenge us to think critically about the root causes of environmental problems and explore potential solutions.”

Poetry as Eco-Literature:

Approaching the end of the discussion, it is important to note that not just novels and essays, but poetry has also remained a vital part of eco-literature. Taking an Indian poem for instance, let us read a snippet from Gieve Patel’s On Killing a Tree. It explores the emotional connection between humans and trees. It speaks of the loss that the poet feels.

“It takes much time to kill a tree,
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it…
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.
No,
The root is to be pulled out —
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out…”

Another Indian poem that portrays the degradation of our ecosystem is Boat-Ride along the Ganga by Keki N. Daruwalla. In the poem, the poet voices his concerns about what he witnesses at the Varanasi Ghat on his boat ride. It seems ironic that even though Ganga is a sacred river for the Hindus, the poet cannot imagine the extent of pollution.

The Hopeful Future:

The world has a long way to go in saving our planet. Ecological awareness is essential at this moment. We need to rethink our actions towards the environment. If we mean to make this world a safe and better place for future generations to thrive, then it is the right time to act. We can contribute by being gentle towards nature and by living in harmony with other living beings. The same way, I believe, eco-literature will continue to evolve. It will continue to address new challenges and offering hope for a more sustainable future. It will bring a new generation of environmentally conscious writers to the forefront.

To conclude and remind ourselves one more time, here is a quote by American poet and activist, Gary Snyder,

"As long as there are mountains and oceans, rivers and forests, there will be sanctuary for the soul."

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