Ramachandra Guha's New Book: Exploring the Origins of Indian Environmentalism
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Author | Ramachandra Guha |
| Book Title | Speaking with Nature: The Origins of Indian Environmentalism |
| Main Theme | Exploration of India's unique ecological heritage and the roots of Indian environmentalism. |
| Key Contribution | Challenges Western perspectives on environmentalism, highlighting India's "livelihood environmentalism" driven by survival needs rather than luxury concerns. |
| Pioneering Thinkers | Ten Indian thinkers, including Rabindranath Tagore, Radhakamal Mukerjee, J.C. Kumarappa, Patrick Geddes, Albert and Gabrielle Howard, Mira (Madeleine Slade), Verrier Elwin, K.M. Munshi, M. Krishnan. |
| Mira's Gandhian Charter | Advocates for ecological harmony, simple living, and decentralization, focusing on Himalayan forests and rural sustainability. |
| Colonial Impact | British colonial policies led to deforestation, resource extraction, and ecological degradation, which India continued post-independence. |
| Current Environmental Challenges | Air pollution, groundwater depletion, biodiversity loss, river degradation, and unsustainable development. |
| Youth and Scientific Awareness | Increased youth engagement and scientific focus on ecology, hydrology, and urban planning offer hope for transformative change. |
| Author's Background | Renowned historian, environmentalist, and biographer of Mahatma Gandhi. Notable works include The Unquiet Woods, India After Gandhi, and Gandhi Before India. |