THE JURISPRUDENCE OF SACRED ECOLOGY: FASTENING UPANISHADIC ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES TO CONTEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE IN INDIA
Simran Sahoo, Ph.D. Scholar at KIIT School of law, Bhubaneswar (India)
Piyusha Pradhan, Assistant Professor at Adarsha College of Law, Angul (Affiliated to Madhusudan Law University, Cuttack) (India)
Environmental degradation resulting from rapid industrialisation and unregulated exploitation of natural resources has emerged as one of the foremost challenges confronting contemporary society, necessitating a governance framework that is both sustainable and ethically grounded. In this context, the present study examines the environmental philosophy embodied in the Upanishads and analyses its relevance to contemporary environmental governance in India. Adopting a doctrinal and analytical approach, the paper explores the Upanishadic conception of nature, which is founded upon the principles of ecological harmony, mutual coexistence, interconnectedness of all life forms, moderation in the utilisation of natural resources, and reverence for the environment. It further examines the extent to which these philosophical postulates have influenced or find reflection in the constitutional, legislative, and judicial framework governing environmental protection in India. The study critically analyses the relationship between Upanishadic ecological ethics and modern environmental principles, including sustainable development, conservation of natural resources, intergenerational equity, and the judicial recognition of the right to a healthy environment under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. By drawing a comparative assessment between ancient ecological thought and contemporary environmental jurisprudence, the paper demonstrates that while present-day environmental governance permits regulated utilisation of natural resources to facilitate socio-economic development, many of its foundational objectives substantially resonate with the ethical values articulated in the Upanishads. The paper argues that the integration of indigenous ecological wisdom with modern legal and governance mechanisms can strengthen the normative foundation of environmental protection and contribute towards a more balanced and sustainable model of development. It concludes that although the Upanishadic principles cannot be transplanted into the contemporary legal framework in their absolute form, their underlying philosophy of ecological responsibility, restraint in resource utilisation, and harmonious coexistence with nature continues to possess enduring relevance in addressing present and future environmental challenges.
| 📄 Type | 🔍 Information |
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| Research Paper | LawFoyer International Journal of Doctrinal Legal Research (LIJDLR), Volume 4, Issue 2, Page 2930–2952. |
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