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groups, societies and nations and also interdependent interactions between all life forms which also interact with physical constituents. Both physical and social environment are interactive, mutually reinforcing and influencing to mould and condition each other. If physical or natural environment with its myriad constituents air, water, soil, minerals etc. suffer degradation, pollution and imbalance, the consequences in green-house effect, climate-change, droughts, floods, storms, famines, pestilences etc. will influence and disturb the social environment, its stability, health and harmony. Likewise imbalances in social environment beset with conflicts and wars will adversely affect the physical environment, accentuating its degradation, pollution and imbalances and this in turn will disturb the social environment and the vicious cycle will go on. Environment should be considered in its totality as a composite aggregate whole in which every constituent small and big is equally important in its own specific symbiotic role.
Only mankind is responsible for environmental degradation. Other life-forms 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 behaviour including harmful mutations. Mankind is still in slumber and has not awakened in spite of conclusive scientific evidence of looming suicidal disaster.
The enlightened Jain thinkers, Arhats and Tirthankaras analyzed the problems and their root causes and formulated concepts, rules, tenets and doctrines to address the various problems and their causes. The single most important main cause of all problems is attachment or infatuation or lust or greed for hedonistic sensual pleasures, named "Raga" and its attendant simultaneous inseparable antithesis 'Dvesha' (Aversion). Under the influence of these psychic impulses, individuals, families, groups, societies, nations commit violence; indulge in sensuous pleasures, unbridled consumerism and mad race for suicidal development. The very index of development prescribed by modern economists is higher and higher level of consumption. They are blind to crass realities that it is consumerism that is most damaging to environment. The Jain thinkers considered these root causes, devised and prescribed effective measures for sustainable healthy environment, framed codes meticulously and so elaborately that there is no chance of any lapse and transgression. In Jainism the prescribed code of conduct both for laity (house holders) and ascetics (monks) is so comprehensive that all aspects have been addressed to ensure sustainable, healthy, harmonious and peaceful environment for one and all.
The mismatch between demand and carrying capacity of natural resources is increasing and is eating away the very resource base necessary for all life-forms including humans. Mankind being at the top of the pyramid in biosphere has the sole responsibility to check further deterioration and reverse the trend towards better environment. Hopefully, the realization is coming and people are now aware of environmental hazards. Human ingenuity with its present phenomenal wealth of knowledge as never before, will certainly be able to rectify and redeem the damage done mainly by its own anthropocentric attitudes.
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