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4. A new dimension of science
Environmental perils of rapid industrialisation have compelled the modern day scientists to think and act towards conservation of ecology. Their eyes first turned towards the importance of various species of animals. Of late, they have realised that the plants and forests are equally important in maintaining various cycles of environment. Recently conservation-experts have stated that there are more than twenty thousand varieties of flora and fauna which have high medicinal values. There may exist such plants whose extracts can fight cancer or can control the high blood pressure. Our lust for land is resulting in the indiscriminate elimination of these plants. If we do not adopt a rational and balanced view, we may deprive our future generations of valuable assets of environment.
5. Conclusion
In Jainism, Ecology is the sum total of all aspects (sun, planets, stars, earth, humans, animals, plants, oceans, etc.). They all share a common, inseparable bond. Even if a single aspect is affected, the entire environment is handicapped. For instance, when forests are destroyed rains are affected, droughts creep in and farm outputs are affected. All these in turn affect our economy and humans are the ultimate victims.
Jain Acharyas had a sensitive and creative understanding of the world around them, which has built a reverential mind and helped in protecting the environment and ecology. They enjoyed their partnership with nature and never exploited it. This is how the Jain religion has survived over many centuries the vicissitudes of history and claimed its space despite the other competing faiths in multi-religion and multi-cultural India.
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