Environmental Law
Environmental Law
Environmental Law
BY ANANTHU
Introduction
The present day increasing tirade against environmental pollutions and
eco-imbalances are now forcing the homo-sapiens to look back and bring
back our traditional approach to the environmental law.
The traditional approach is nothing but an approach instigated upon
our ethics. So in other words we can call it as an ethical approach too.
This approach is very important as it guides every individual and the
system as whole as to how to behave with the environment. It mainly
consists of rules of moral correctness or moral behavior towards the
components of environment which includes land, water, air, flora and
fauna.
Environmental Ethics in our ancient days
Since Vedic times the main motto of the social life was to live in
harmony with the nature. Sages, Saints and great teachers of India
used to live in forests, meditated and expressed themselves in the forms
of Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis and Dharmas. The ancient literatures
used to depict the importance of worshiping plants, trees, mother earth,
sky (aakash), air (vayu), water(jal), and animals. It was considered to be
a sacred duty of every person to protect them.
Hindu religious scriptures including Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis,
Puranas,Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gita and mythological literatures
inludings stories, social and moral codes, and political rules reveals the
following general principles to be observed by all in day to day life. Some
of these principles are -: