Destruction of nature leads to increase in natural disasters: A central tenet of Gandhi's philosophy
Limited consumption of nature was a central tenet of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy. He believed that humans should take only what they need from nature, avoiding greed or over-consumption. Therefore, resources must be used sparingly, justly, and with the welfare of others in mind. Gandhi connected lifestyle to simplicity and self-restraint. He warned against unbridled industrialization and dependence on machines. He argued that the Western style of consumption-centric development was fatal for a country like India, as it harms both nature and society. Gandhi was a proponent of 'Swadeshi' (self-sufficiency/local goods) and 'Gram Swaraj' (village self-rule). This approach ensures that the sustainable use of local resources is safe for both the environment and society.
Nature is often called Mother, signifying a complex unit for the creation and nurturing of life. Nature is the foundation of life, providing essential resources like air, water, food, medicine, and environmental balance, making our existence and well-being possible. It is also a source of inspiration and healing for mental, physical, and spiritual development. Nature provides us with drinking water, pure air to breathe, and essential crops for food. It offers food and habitat for diverse plants and animals, crucial for keeping the ecosystem stable and functional. It is the basis of our economy, our society, and indeed, our very existence. Nature existed long before humans and continues to support life today.
The progress and development of civilization have placed excessive pressure on natural resources. Uncontrolled industrialization, rampant deforestation, pollution, mining, and urbanization have disrupted nature's balance. Consequently, the world faces several grave crises, prominently: climate change, loss of biodiversity, water crisis, food and agricultural crisis, health threats, and social and economic crises. The destruction of nature is not just an environmental crisis; it is a severe threat to human existence, health, food, water, and the global economy. Environmental destruction caused by human activities has made the frequency, intensity, and impact of natural disasters more severe. If sustainable development and conservation efforts are not undertaken in time, the future of coming generations will be insecure.
Globally, between 1989 and 2019, natural disasters caused an average of about 54,082 deaths annually. In India, during the financial year 2024-25, approximately 3,080 people died due to natural disasters. This figure was much higher in 2013-14, with about 5,677 deaths. According to a report, since June 2025, over 1,500 people have died in India due to rain, floods, landslides, and related events. The same report indicates approximately 400 deaths in Himachal Pradesh, 335 in Kerala, and 130 in Jammu and Kashmir. This is partly due to the approximately 10 million hectares of forest being cut down worldwide every year. This deforestation is primarily driven by agricultural expansion, changing forest use, mining, dams, development, and urban projects. Approximately 12 million hectares of fertile or productive land worldwide are lost annually due to soil erosion, urbanization, and various other reasons.
Human activities are leading to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in rising air temperatures at the surface and ocean temperatures beneath the surface. Nature is not a commodity to be sold in the market according to the economic rules of supply and demand. Nor is it an organized market governed by the rules of individual consumer preferences. The current social system is entangled in a mechanical view of human freedom and human relations with nature, which directly contradicts ecological imperatives. In 2024, India lost approximately 18,200 hectares of primary forest, compared to about 17,700 hectares in 2023. Since 2000, India has lost approximately 2.33 million hectares of tree cover. The loss of "primary forests" is particularly alarming because these forests are crucial for biodiversity, ecological stability, and carbon storage.
The second vital component of nature is air, but air pollution is reducing human lifespan. In 2024, India was the world's fifth most polluted country. The pollution level in metropolises like Delhi is very high, significantly exceeding national and international standards. Major sources of air pollution include vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, construction dust, and the burning of crop residue in fields. A report by the Health Effects Institute and UNICEF indicates that approximately 2.1 million deaths in India in 2021 were attributed to air pollution. Turning to the water component of nature, the situation is quite fragile. The State of Environment (SoE) Report 2023 revealed that 279 rivers are polluted. In some of these rivers, the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) level is very high, signaling extensive organic pollution.
India accounts for approximately 18 percent of the world's total population but possesses only about 4 percent of the readily available freshwater resources. This figure highlights the immense pressure on water resources. Protecting India's rivers requires pollution control, flow conservation, embankment management, public participation, and legal measures. The government has initiated schemes like Namami Gange, but success will only be achieved when local communities, the government, industry, and citizens collaborate to protect the river not as a resource but as life.
India has established a strong constitutional basis, legal provisions, and policies for the conservation of nature. Article 48(A) of the Constitution mandates the State's duty to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. Article 51(A) (G) makes it the duty of every citizen to protect the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. Under Article 21 (Right to Life), the Supreme Court has included the "right to a clean and healthy environment" as part of the fundamental right to life. Regarding specific laws, India has acts such as the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. However, their effective implementation and public participation are what will ensure genuine success.
The life and culture of India's tribal (Adivasi) communities are deeply connected to nature. They believe the relationship between humans and nature is symbiotic, meaning humans are not just consumers but also custodians. This is why Adivasi societies have developed traditions of conserving forests, water, land, and biodiversity for thousands of years. Spiritually, they view nature as a form of God. Many tribal areas in India feature Sacred Groves, conserved in memory of local deities or ancestors. The Adivasi philosophy states: "Take only what is necessary from nature, and leave the rest for future generations." This supposedly 'developed' society should learn from the Adivasi philosophy. Nature has always existed, but we often forget how vital it is. If we don't protect it, future generations will pay the price. We can care for nature by stopping deforestation, planting trees, saving water, maximizing the use of renewable energy, limiting the consumption of goods, and keeping our surroundings clean. Small actions like reducing plastic use and correctly disposing of waste can also bring about a big change. Nature is a gift we must respect and conserve. If we care for nature, we can make the world a better, greener place for everyone. If we fail to address these fundamental issues, we are bound to fail not only in achieving social justice but also in fulfilling our duties toward the Earth.
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*Bargi Dam Displaced and Affected Association, Jabalpur
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