Viability And Sustainability Of Natural Resources - Strengthening Institutions And Strategies

Biba Jasmine says that since time immemorial Indian tradition has promoted frugality and moderation in consumption. She feels that in today’s times, it is imperative to use resources more effectively with less damage to environment and public health. On the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, let us all strive to strengthen institutions and strategies for the conservation of natural resources. Let us all join hands and have a collective vision to promote sustainable production processes and lifestyle.

- Biba Jasmine

India, in many ways, represents one of the few ancient civilizations and cultures that have steady traditions. It is steady, yet vibrant and relentlessly altering. India has a long history and tradition of harmonious co-existence between man and nature. Respect for nature is an integral part of our value system. We represent a culture that calls our planet Mother Earth.

Another vital part of Indian cultural thinking is looking at things from a holistic perspective. When Mahatma Gandhi spoke of the need to adopt the 'charkha' (spinning wheel), he did not argue merely from a production perspective. Charkha was an optimal solution. Such solutions give importance not only to growth but to other aspects such as livelihood, employment, dignity, pressure on the environment, and the impact on climate change. Nature has taught us to understand how natural systems which are cyclical have sustained over the ages. The people of India developed lifestyles that matched the local conditions.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘Earth provides enough to satisfy everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s greed’. At a river, Gandhiji took just a small tumbler of water to wash his face. Someone asked him ‘why are you so miserly when the river has all the water that you can take and is free?’ The Mahatma said, ‘I should not take anything more than what I need, someone else may need it.’ Indian tradition promotes frugality and moderation in consumption.