Environmental Ethics

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

Page 99

climatic changes. In addition to CO, other harmful gases CO, NO, SO, etc. will also accentuate air pollution. It is also wrong that 'yagna' induce rains. 'Yagna' are being performed for last several thousand years, yet there has been serious recurring droughts and famines through out the ages. If 'yagna' could bring rains then there would have been no droughts and famines. There is another silly argument that by heating a substance its beneficial potency is enhanced but enhanced potency may be destructive as in nuclear bomb and splitting of CL, atoms which is destroying the protective ozone layer. There is also no truth in the claim that burnt perfumes and substances rise high in air and impart medicinal properties to the rain water. Ganges only a century back possessed medicinal and bactericidal properties because its route in Himalyas was covered with medicinal plants and this was without 'yagna' i.e. burning of these plants. Since superstition is singularly most harmful for environment such hypocrites are not environmentalists at all by commitment and actions. Most of the superstitions are generally justified on the pretext that they are matters of personal faith. But faith should be rational and logical and it should not be harmful and destructive. There are still people who have faith in the practice of 'Sati' (burning of wives on the pyres of their husbands). Such a faith is certainly not justified. Likewise faith in rituals of sacrifices of innocent animals and even children is most illogical. Similarly asking boons from stone idols is also not at all rational.
Unfortunately most of the past and current literature is full of superstitious and irralational concepts based on unrealistic non-existent objects and themes of animals, fairies, ghosts etc. In the famous story book 'Panchantra' animals speak language of humans which is wrong. Animals and birds do not speak our language. Fairies and ghosts do not exist and eminent writers including nobel laureates use similies, metaphors and anecdotes which are not rational. It is necessary
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