Chapter 26 Environmental Ethics and Gandhian Approach

NIOS Class 12 Environmental Science Chapter 26

INTEXT QUESTIONS 26.1

1. Define (i) ethics (ii) environmental ethics

Ans:

Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with morals and values.
Environmental ethics is that part of philosophy which considers the ethical relationship between human beings and the natural environment.

2. Name the approaches to environmental ethics.

Ans: Anthropocentric, eccentric, biocentric or life-centric.

3. State one justification for environmental ethics.

Ans: Everything in nature and all natural systems have intrinsic value. If mankind has to survive, the environment needs to be protected.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 26.2

1.` Why must children be made aware of environmental ethics?

Ans: We acquire habits and attitudes in our childhood. The values inculcated during childhood stay lifelong. Therefore, it is extremely important to inculcate respect for the environment in every child.

2. State two traditions which express life in harmony with the environment.

Ans:

In the Himalayas, Sherpas consider certain mountains as sacred and do not climb into them (for conquering peaks during expeditions.
During festivals, special food items are prepared at some festivities to highlight the importance of different plants and plant products, as laddoo made from Amaranthus (ramdana or chaulai) are eaten.

3. What is a ‘sacred grove’?

Ans: Clumps of trees (ranging from bamboo in eastern Himalayas to forests in Himachal Pradesh) or a portion of the forest is considered as the place where gods or spirits of ancestors reside. Thus, they are left undisturbed, and the area is considered a ‘sacred groove’. The sanctity of the area ensures that the flora and fauna flourish and biodiversity is maintained.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 26.3

1. Give an example of PIL which led to taking steps against environmental pollution.

Ans: M.C. Mehta filed a PIL for the protection of the Taj Mahal from the effluents of the Mathura refinery. This landmark case created awareness about the right of every citizen to clear air, water and land.

2. What is meant by corporate environmental ethics?

Ans: Corporate ethics means providing a clean environment to the nation is the basic responsibility of the corporate world.

3. State one ethical step taken by business houses in honour of the environment.

Ans:

Industrial houses have now become interested in efficient, green and clean technology.
The use of solar cars and technology with low carbon footprints.
In some of the metropolitan cities, corporate houses have taken charge of developing and maintaining green patches and “gardens” to act as the “lungs” of the city.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 26.4

1. Who are the founders of the Chipko movement?

Ans: Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunder Lal Bahauguna

2. What type of work does Sulabh International do?

Ans: For uplifting of Harijins and sweepers who once lifted night soil, were also inspired by Gandhian thought.

3. Why was Gandhiji known as an early environmentalist?

Ans: He anticipated the environmental crisis of the modern industrial society.

4. What was the main slogan of Gandhiji?

Ans: Mother Nature has enough for our needs, but not enough for our greed.

TERMINAL EXERCISE

1. What is meant by environmental ethics?

Ans: Environmental ethics is that part of philosophy which considers the ethical relationship between human beings and the natural environment.

2. What are the approaches to environmental ethics?

Ans: There are basically three approaches to environmental ethics. They are anthropocentric, biocentric and ecocentric approaches.

Anthropocentric: Humans are the dominant and important species on the planet, giving them the power to manipulate and use nature for their own benefit. This view is “human-centred”, and thus it is called anthropocentric.
Environmental wisdom talks of total dependence of humans on nature, and nature is for all species. This is life life-centric or biocentric approach.
A non-anthropocentric approach that talks of ethical responsibility towards other species and even ecosystems is also called ecocentric. According to this viewpoint, it becomes compulsory to save the planet.

3. Why is it necessary to have environmental ethics?

Ans: Environmental ethics is that part of philosophy which considers the ethical relationship

between human beings and the natural environment. Humans must learn to live in harmony with nature.

Overexploitation of resources by the growing human population has upset the natural balance.
The use of technology and economic growth has led to ecological problems.
The economic progress has been achieved at an enormous cost to the environment, as manifested by growing pollution, loss of biodiversity and a critical shortage of basic resources.

The role of ethics becomes important, therefore, as it helps to assess the strengths and weaknesses of developmental activities such as deforestation, building a dam, mining, draining a wetland, etc.

4. With the help of a suitable example, explain how the concept of environmental ethics is promoted in Indian Scriptures.

Ans: Indian philosophy aims not only at the well-being of all humans but also of all beings. The Sanskrit verse: “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Nirmayah”. It means May all be sinless and may all experience happiness.

The Vedas, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana all chant praises about cosmic harmony and environmental protection. These Indian systems respect not only humans but also care about the welfare of other beings.
Nature and environment were given importance from the Rigvedic period onwards. Verse states- “the sky is like a father, the earth like a mother and space like their son”. The universe is a family of three; if any damage occurs to the universe goes off balance.

5. What is meant by “sacred groves”?

Ans: Sacred groves refer to those areas of a forest or a range in the Himalayas that are left undisturbed, as it is considered to be where gods or spirits of ancestors reside.

6. It is necessary to make children aware of environmental issues. Why?

Ans: It is common knowledge that we acquire habits and attitudes in our childhood. The values inculcated during childhood stay life long. Therefore, it is extremely important to inculcate respect for the environment in every child. If children are exposed to live issues, they understand and try to resolve them when they grow up to be administrators, policy makers, teachers, homemakers or politicians. Nature study should inculcate in the children a love for living beings and an urge to maintain the surroundings.

7. In what ways can business houses practice environmental ethics?

Ans:

Industrial houses have now become interested in efficient, green and clean technology.
The use of solar cars and technology with low carbon footprints.
In some of the metropolitan cities, corporate houses have taken charge of developing and maintaining green patches and “gardens” to act as the “lungs” of the city.
Corporate houses also sponsor prizes for competitions of school-going children and college-going youth on themes and topics of the environment.

8. What is meant by Gandhi’s statement, “Mother nature has enough for our needs but not enough for our greed”?

Ans: The life and work of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) have had a considerable influence on the environmental movement in India. Mahatma Gandhi has been acknowledged as the ‘patron saint’ of the Indian environmental movement. When he said, “Mother nature has enough for our needs but not enough for our greed”, it hints that frugality and simple life mean understanding that there is no pleasure in wasteful consumption. One should be living in harmony with each other and with nature.

Pleasures: It should not harm the earth, but it should come from creative work and activity and cooperation. Environmental ethics also teaches us to appreciate the harmony in nature and its bounties. Environmental considerations must form an integral part of all planning for India’s growth and development,

9. Relate three traditional practices as examples of environmental ethics.

Ans:

Colours from tesu (flame of the forest) flowers, pomegranate peel, turmeric are used a sources of different colours, earthen lamps, vegetable oil and cotton wicks are used for decorating homes during special occasions.
Special food items are prepared at some festivities to highlight the importance of different plants and plant products, as laddoo made from Amaranthus (ramdana or chaulai) are eaten.
In various parts of the country, people worship various animals and plants.
Plants like tulsi, banyan and banana, coconut fruit are worshipped; turmeric is used in rituals considered auspicious associated with Hindu, Islamic and Buddhist cultures.
Sacred groves and their sanctity area ensure that the flora and fauna flourish and biodiversity is maintained.
In the Himalayas, Sherpas consider certain mountains as sacred and do not climb into them (for conquering peaks during expeditions).

10. Collect material to write notes on –

(i) Chipko movement.

(ii) Narmada Bachao Andolan highlighting the environmentaly unethical moves and the protests against them.

Ans:

(i) Chipko movement.

The Chipko Movement was a non-violent movement in the 1970s.
It was founded by Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunder Lal Bahuguna.
Local communities in the Himalayas would surround and hug the trees to prevent them from being cut.
Locals wo were affected by deforestation were the major participants.

(ii) Narmada Bachao Andolan.

Narmada Bachao Andolan was started by Baba Amte and Medha Patkar in 1985 against the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam across the Narmada River.
The goal of this movement was to ensure the resettlement of all inhabitants in the areas.
The movement and the attention it got ensured policy changes on rehabilitation and environmental clearances.