IMPORTANCE OF THE INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM IN HONOURING AND PROTECTING THE MOTHER EARTH

Abstract

The majority of human knowledge is derived from nature. However, the ancient symbiotic relationship between human beings and the environment is at risk due to modern people's greed towards a luxurious and extravagant materialistic world. Though the notion 'Environment Education' is a relatively new focus in education, its association with the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) is age-old.IKS has inquired and explored various fields of study, and 'Environmental Education' is no exception.The ancient Indian scriptures like Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads along with epics like Ramayana, and Mahabharata and some spiritual belief and judicious practices had laid a strong rationale reflection for the protection of the Mother Earth, and ritualistic practices and sanctions, as code of conduct for reasonable and moderate use of natural resources i.e. conveyed concerns regarding the health of the Mother Earth while considering the ethnicities and social contexts, with an explicit caution on the impact of degradation of environment and conservation for survival. Therefore, it's high time to take much inspiration and motivation from IKS in honouring and safeguarding the Mother Earth.