2. The environmental movement is a diverse scientific, social,
and political movement for addressing environmental issues.
The environmental movement is an international movement,
represented by a range of organizations, from the large
to grassroots and varies from country to country.
Due to its large membership, varying and strong beliefs, and
occasionally speculative nature, the environmental movement is
not always united in its goals.
Environmental Movements
4. Chipko Movement, started in 1970's, was a non violent movement
led by Chandni Prasad Bhatt and Sunderlal Bahuguna. It aimed at
protection and conservation of trees and forests from being
destroyed.
The name of the Chipko moment originated from the word
'embrace' as the villagers used to hug the trees and protect them
from wood cutters from cutting them.
It was a people’s revolt against mindless deforestation. And they did
it by simply hugging trees when the woodmen came to axe them.
Chipko Movement
5. Bishnois
Bishnois refer to a religious group found in the Western Thar desert of
India.
It was founded by Guru Jambheshwar who gave 29 tenets to protect trees
and wildlife.
Bishnois strictly forbid the harming of trees and animals.
Jambaji's spiritual reverence for nature led to a tradition of harmony with
the local ecology, the bishnois are famous for cultivating lush vegetation,
caring for animals, and collecting drinkable water.
6. This Project aimed at the protection of evergreen tropical forest in the
Palakkad Distict of Kerela.
It was started In 1973 when the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB)
proposed a hydroelectric dam across the Kunthipuzha River that runs
through Silent Valley, that will submerge 8.3 sq km of untouched moist
evergreen forest.
To save the Silent Valley the hydroelectric project was called off in
November 1983 and was formally declared as The Silent Valley National
Park in 1985.
Silent Valley Project
7. Environmental Ethics
Environmental ethics is the part of
environmental philosophy which
considers extending the traditional
boundaries of ethics from solely
including humans to including the
non-human world.
8. The plant species saved from centuries by primitive people for their use in variety of
rituals , ceremonies, cults, taboos and beliefs are broadly categorized as:
(i) Conserving plants through social and religious (Sacred) ceremonies, cults and
belief.
(ii) Conserving plants through astrological practices and others.
Role of Indian Culture & Religion in the
environmental Conservatism
9. Conserving plants through social and religious
(Sacred) ceremonies, cults and belief
Large number of trees, shrubs and herbs are conserved in many sacred groves
and other places for their religious and cultural importance viz. Saraca asoka, Ficus
religiosa, Aeglee marmelos, Musa paradissiaca, Mangifera indica, Cannabis sativa,
Terminalia arjuna, Coccos nucifera, Sesbaia grandiflora etc.
Psychoactive plants contain Psychotropic chemical substance that crosses the
blood-brain barrier and acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it
affects brain function, resulting in changes in perception, mood, consciousness ,
cognition, and behaviour.
Plants conserved for magical healing: Thousands of years ago magical and
mystical powers were ascribed to certain plants. It is no wonder, since today we
still turn to plants for food, shelter, clothing, weapons, and even healing.
Mangifera indica
Saraca asoka
10. Psychoactive plants used in tantra:The term “tantra” refers to a great many religious
practices and beliefs.
It is so difficult to define, that some religious historians argue the word has little
meaning other than to mark extreme or taboo practices (Urban, 2003).
Conserving plants through Vastu Shastra: Vastu Shastra being an ancient science deals
with position of diff rent rooms in residential buildings, factories and industries.
Vastu can be applied on flowers and plants in the house. The plants play significant role
in activating positive energy to our day to day life.
Conserving plants through astrological
practices and others.
11. Environmental Communication
Environmental communication refers to the study and practice
of how individuals, institutions, societies, and cultures craft,
distribute, receive, understand, and use messages about
the environment and human interactions with the environment.
This includes a wide range of possible interactions, from
interpersonal communication to virtual communities,
participatory decision making, and environmental media
coverage.
12. Environmental sensitivity in our country can only
grow through a major public awareness
campaign. This has several tools.
The electronic media, the press, school and
college education, adult education, are all
essentially complementary to each other. Let us
study some relevant tools for public awareness.
Public Awareness
ANALYSIS OF 119 COUNTRY
SURVEY
13. What can an Individual do?
Reduce the amount of water used for daily activities. For example -
turn off the tap while brushing your teeth to save water.
While watering plants, water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb
the water.
Turn off the lights fans and air conditioning when not necessary. Use
tube lights and energy saver bulbs as they consume less electricity.
Try using public transport systems like trains and buses as far as
possible.
14. Plant more trees of local or indigenous species around your home and your workplace. Encourage
your friends to do so. Plants are vital to our survival in many ways.
When shopping, choose products in limited packaging. It will not only help cut down on the
amount of waste in landfills, but also helps reduce our need to cut trees for paper and packaging.
Look for ways to reduce the use of paper. Use both sides of every sheet of paper. Send your waste
paper for recycling.
Reuse cartons and gift-wrapping paper. Recycle newspaper and waste paper instead of throwing it
away as garbage.
What can an Individual do?
15. Using an Environment Calendar
There are several days of special
environmental significant which can
be celebrated in the community and
can be used for creating
environmental awareness.