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JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XLIX, NO. 1-IV JULY 2014 JUNE 2015
as enemy because of wrong behaviour. Mankind is still in slumber, and have not awakened inspite of conclusive scientific evidence of looming suicidal disasture.
Subsequently industrialization added fuel to fire, accelerating environmental degradation and pollution. Scientists have estimated that at present levels of consumption and population we need natural resources of 4 to 5 such planets as earth. Obviously the pressure on environment is at least four times more than its capacity. The problem is that all the factors responsible for environmental degradation are accentuating and not declining. Resistance from degradation :
Only mankind is responsible for environmental degradation. Other lifeforms live symbiotically and in harmony with nature. It is only when human beings in their greed and lust encroach their natural habitat and their sources of livelihood that there are aberrations in their behavior including harmful mutations.
In fact, living forms can be found in the earth, in water, in fire, and in air itself, taking the shape of large rocks and in microscopic particles circulating in the wind. Jainism's unique cosmology gives cause for Jains to think deeply about their role in such environmental issues as industrial pollution and global warming. Jains state that the waters and the air contain life, in addition to the living creatures that dwell therein. Hence, pollution deemed harmful in either element must be mitigated, not only for the sake of human health, but also for the sake of the life that thrives in air and water. Similarly, global warming will not only cause great disruption for humans but will displace and perhaps decimate countless species, the most famous at present being the polar bear. Given human complicity and causality in regard to climate change, Jains would have a double incentive for taking action: protection of humans and protection of other life forms. Conservation of Nature :
The culture of conservation of nature dates back to the ancient Vedic Period. The four Vedas i.e. Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and
| SR No. | 520295 |
| Book Title | Jain Journal 2014 07 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Satyaranjan Banerjee |
| Publisher | Jain Bhawan Publication |
| Publication Year | 2014 |
| Total Pages | 90 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India |
| File Size | 7 MB |