Environmental Ethics

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 37

biochemical sizes to operate in such a way that materials and organisms are reassembled as fast as they are dispersed. Shramanik thinkers realised need of symbiotic utilisation long ago and postulated the principle of "APARIGRAH" i.e. nonacquisition beyond bare necessities, austerity and utilisation of natural resources, services of living beings animals etc. including humans with in their carrying capacity and formulated elaborate and stringent rules of do's and don'ts. The shramanik principle of aparigrah can be an effective instrument to inculcate symbiotic attitude. Every organism, its components, organelles, cells and smaller and larger subsystems and systems have built in carrying capacity to interact symbiotically. This can be illustrated comprehensively by the example of grasslands and grazing animals. Different grasslands in different climatic and edaphic conditions have different varieties (species) of grasses both annual and perennial in different proportions. Their capacities to support grazing animals also varies. Generally cow is taken as one unit and buffalos two units. In case of a grassland with carrying capacity of one cow only if two or more are grazed then it will deteriorate and ultimately get destroyed completely paving way for subsequent deterioration of land by erosion. The grassland will deteriorate if it is completely closed to grazing by one cow unit which is its carrying capacity. Cow eats grass, enriches the land by its droppings (cow dung) and urine. This is symbiotic relationship. The status quo of grassland, a subclimax is maintained indefinitely. There is neither progression and succession by other species, the shrubs and trees which would eventually encroach on grass which would deteriorate it.
Similar is the case with forest lands which if utilised within their carrying capacity which is the annual growth rate of the forests. It is like harvesting only the interest from a bank account which keeps the principal amount intact. If forest produce is harvested within carrying capacity i.e. its M.A.I. (Mean Annual Increment) then the forest as such remains
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