Aparigraha the Humane Solution

Author(s): Kamla Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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APARIGRAHA - THE HUMANE SOLUTION
apart from the positive economic angle, it increases public awareness about nature, its beauties, floral and faunal, and also about man-made marvels. In fact, a greater awareness and sensitivity to the charms of nature and its beauty rather than total ignorance would boost conservation. The well-to-do make the mistake of confusing wild-life and adventure tourism with picnics. We should guard against the combination of money and arrogance, with the sole objective of the pursuit of pleasure. The pursuit of pleasure to a certain degree is not objectionable in itself but it should be combined with the desire to know and the desire to preserve'. Eco-friendliness should become a fashion or fad just as ethnic has become a craze with the urban elite in India. Environmental protection should become a catchword to evoke a sense of pride and dignity in the upper class and the haves. "Tourism has to be understood as a vehicle of culture, prosperity and peace, which teaches that we must conserve without damaging, protect without plundering, create without destroying our environment.
Lack of concern for environment or apathy for this cause is simply a betrayal of our future; an alert society will not let this happen if it has determination and commitment. For this, we will have to accept the principle of partnership and equity to be able to overcome whatever obstacles are there. Self-imposed inner discipline in the form of contentment or limitation of one's possessions (icchā-parimāņa) is the permanent solution. Sustained spirituality for environment
All those who share the concern for the environment and the depletion of resources due to the rise in consumerism and more and more advanced technology are thinking together of the ways nonrenewable resources should be very carefully used, since the harmful effects on nature due to indiscriminate use of technology are becoming very obvious in rural as well as urban areas. The key phrase, now is 'sustainable development' which means a development required to meet our needs and not our greeds' without harming the ability of other people and even future generations to meet their needs.