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Summary
The chapter discusses the relationship between society and the environment in India, highlighting the country’s rich tradition of environmental conservation. Indian philosophy views nature as a living entity, emphasizing a relationship of mutual respect rather than dominance. Ancient Indian culture integrated environmental ethics into daily life, where rituals and traditions reinforced the need for environmental preservation.
Tribal communities play a crucial role in environmental conservation. They possess deep knowledge of soil and land management, as well as sustainable agricultural practices. These tribes, particularly in regions like Nagaland, maintain a close connection with nature, ensuring the conservation of their rich biodiversity.
The concept of sacred groves in India, known as Panchavati, is introduced as an example of environmental conservation. These groves, protected for centuries due to their association with deities and spirits, are vital for preserving biodiversity. They serve as refuges for endangered species and are crucial for water conservation, as they often contain water resources that sustain nearby communities. The loss of sacred groves due to modern development and the erosion of traditional practices is a concern, but efforts are being made to protect and revive them.
The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan is highlighted for their dedication to environmental protection. Following the teachings of Guru Jambeshwar, they practice non-violence, vegetarianism, and strict conservation of plants and animals. The Bishnoi are famous for their sacrifice in the 18th century to protect Khejri trees from being cut down, demonstrating their deep commitment to the environment.
The chapter also covers traditional methods of rainwater harvesting in India, which have been crucial in managing water resources in a country with uneven rainfall distribution. These traditional practices are being revived to address modern water scarcity issues, with government and community initiatives promoting rainwater harvesting and forest conservation.
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Textbook solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What is Nagaland’s biggest wealth?
A. Industries
B. Jewellery
C. Crops
D. Forests
Answer: D. Forests
2. Name given to the traditional agricultural knowledge is
A. Mutte
B. Agni
C. Krishi-Vidya
D. Bhoomi-Vidya
Answer: A. Mutte
3. How many tribes have inhabited Nagaland?
A. 16
B. 3
C. 24
D. 50
Answer: A. 16
4. Which of the following tribes has inhabited Kohima in Nagaland?
A. Phom
B. Lotha
C. Konyak
D. Angami
Answer: D. Angami
5. Which of the following is not a traditional method of rainwater harvesting in India?
A. Tanka
B. Bishnoi
C. Zing
D. Zabo
Answer: B. Bishnoi
Short Answer Questions
1. Define conservation.
Answer: Conservation is the preservation of some level of biodiversity that is essential for the functioning of the ecosystem and the survival of mankind.
2. What are the earth and sky worshipped as in Indian culture?
Answer: Earth is worshipped as mother goddess while sky is worshipped as father in Indian culture.
3. What is mutte?
Answer: Mutte is the name given to the body of traditional agricultural knowledge that only spiritual leaders can possess. It is a range of agricultural practices written on palm leaves.
4. What is rainwater harvesting?
Answer: Rainwater harvesting is merely “putting back rainwater into the soil, where it will be stored in underground reservoirs and rivers, so that we can draw on it whenever we need it.”
5. List four different methods of Rainwater harvesting.
Answer:
(i) Kere in Deccan plateau and coastal plains. (ii) Koramby in flood-prone coastal plains and deltas of rivers. (iii) Surangan in Kerala. (iv) Kulam in coastal district of Kerala.
6. Write briefly about Bishnois way of conservation.
Answer: The Bishnois of Rajasthan, India, have lately come to the attention of diverse scholarly and activist communities as an example of ecologically aware people who, for generations, have been practising environmental conservation, holistic science, and what today would be termed wise resource management. The Bishnois are followers of Guru Jambeshwar who articulated 29 principles of morality and conduct. His followers were enjoined to have compassion for all living beings, give up all intoxicants, swear by tenets of ahimsa (non-violence) and satya (truth), and adhere to a vegetarian diet. Bishnois have been known to sacrifice their lives to protect trees, as demonstrated in A.D. 1730 when 363 people gave up their lives to protect the Khejri trees in their villages.
7. What are “Pan-indian” groves?
Answer: “Pan-Indian” groves are sacred groves that involve people from many parts of the country to see the cultural identity of the communities that revere and protect them.
Long Answer Questions
1. What is the importance of sacred groves of India?
Answer: The importance of sacred groves are:
(i) They are often the last refuge for endemic and endangered plant and animal species.
(ii) They are storehouses of medicinal plants valuable to village communities as well as modern pharmacopoeia.
(iii) They contain wild relatives of crop species that can help to improve cultivated varieties.
(iv) They also provide for the water needs of nearby communities.
(v) Many sacred groves contain water resources such as ponds and streams, and the vegetative mass that covers the floor of a grove can absorb water during rainy seasons and release it during times of drought.
(vi) Trees also improve soil stability, prevent topsoil erosion and provide irrigation for agriculture in drier climates.
2. How has Indian culture emphasised that man must live in harmony with nature?
Answer: Indian culture has emphasised that man must live in harmony with nature by integrating environmental ethics with the Indian way of life. Ancient scriptures and seers have provided a system of moral guidelines towards environmental preservation and conservation. These principles were practiced by common people as well as by rulers and kings. The Indian theory of nature and ecology, influenced by the theory of creation, asserts that every element, object, and living being in the universe is created by the same supreme being. Indians believe in a relationship of mutual respect and kindness with nature rather than dominance and subjugation. Rituals have been institutionalised to highlight the importance of various components of the environment, ensuring that even the non-living world is treated with care and harmony. For example, fire is conceived as a messenger of God, earth as mother goddess, and the sky is worshipped as father.
3. Who are the Bishnois? What views do they hold about environmental protection?
Answer: The Bishnois are followers of Guru Jambeshwar, who was born in 1451. The community largely resides around the city of Jodhpur and in neighbouring districts of western Rajasthan, with small communities in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana. The Bishnois are an example of ecologically aware people who have been practicing environmental conservation, holistic science, and wise resource management for generations. Guru Jambeshwar articulated 29 principles of morality and conduct, which include compassion for all living beings, giving up all intoxicants, adhering to non-violence (ahimsa) and truth (satya), and following a vegetarian diet. The Bishnois believe that flora and fauna should be protected, and it is said that even in times of severe drought, the black buck and Indian gazelle could find food and water wherever Bishnois lived. Their views about environmental protection are rooted in their religious and cultural practices, which prioritize the protection of all forms of life.
4. How have tribals contributed to environmental conservation?
Answer: Tribals have contributed to environmental conservation by integrating their cultural practices, festivals, and ceremonies with natural resource protection programs. They have special knowledge of soil conservation and land management, which is passed down through spiritual leaders who test soils by colour, weight, and taste, and know specific plants that prevent soil erosion, improve soil fertility, and provide green manure. Tribal communities celebrate rituals related to grain conservation and ensure that individual members follow the rules for conserving food grains. Traditional agricultural knowledge, known as Mutte, is preserved by spiritual leaders and recorded on palm leaves. This knowledge includes a range of agricultural practices that are also preserved in the form of dance and music. Tribes in various parts of India have carried on the tradition and philosophy of living in harmony with nature for ages.
5. Why has there been a tradition of water harvesting in India?
Answer: There has been a tradition of water harvesting in India due to the irregular rainfall pattern, which is highly variable in space and time. Most of the rainfall in India is concentrated during the first few months of the year and in a few regions, with about 70% of the rainfall occurring in just four months. This has forced Indians to develop and perfect the art of water harvesting, which is more than two millennia old. Evidence of this tradition is found in ancient texts, inscriptions, and archaeological remains. The tradition of water harvesting in India has been essential for managing water resources in areas with scarce and erratic rainfall, ensuring that communities have access to water even during times of drought. Rainwater harvesting has been a cost-effective and efficient way of water management, and many regions in India have traditional methods of harvesting rainwater, tailored to their specific ecological conditions.
6. How are sacred groves of India and traditional rainwater harvesting systems faring today?
Answer: Sacred groves in many parts of India have been destroyed over the past century to make way for development projects such as railroads, highways, and dams. In many places, the government has ignored local communities’ customary management rights and allowed commercial forestry operations or encroachment by people who do not respect traditional practices. Some “pan-Indian” groves are burdened by large numbers of tourists and pilgrims. The loss of traditional wisdom and practices is also a concern, as westernised urban culture and the expanding market economy have led many communities to lose their conservation practices and destroy resources in their sacred groves. Despite these challenges, many conservationists and communities, along with government and non-governmental organisations, have realised the importance of protecting India’s sacred groves and traditional rainwater harvesting systems. Efforts are being made to integrate traditional wisdom into modern systems, and the cause of protecting these ecological treasures has been gradually gaining attention. Traditional rainwater harvesting systems have seen a decline due to the shift towards large dams, canals, and public water systems. However, there has been a revival of traditional systems in places like Sukhomajri in the Shivalik hills and Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra, which have transformed from poverty to plenty through the restoration of traditional water harvesting practices.
Extras MCQs
1. What is the main goal of conservation according to environmentalists?
A. To preserve biodiversity
B. To promote industrial development
C. To increase urbanization
D. To eliminate all forms of wildlife
Answer: A. To preserve biodiversity
32. What is the main focus of the Van Panchayat institution in Uttar Pradesh?
A. Construction of dams
B. Management of community forests
C. Regulation of industrial activities
D. Promotion of tourism
Answer: B. Management of community forests
Extra Questions and Answers
1. What is conservation?
Answer: Conservation is the preservation of some level of biodiversity that is essential for the functioning of the ecosystem and the survival of mankind.
28. What is the significance of the Chipko movement in India?
Answer: The Chipko movement in India is significant as it represents a grassroots environmental conservation effort where local communities protect forest resources through non-violent resistance. Originating in the Himalayan region, the movement was led mainly by women who physically embraced trees to prevent them from being cut down by loggers. This movement has been instrumental in raising awareness about deforestation and has influenced the implementation of forest conservation policies. The Chipko movement is an example of how local communities can effectively manage and protect natural resources by integrating traditional wisdom with modern conservation practices.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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