Understanding Environment- Meher Gandhi
Meher Gandhi- Understanding Environment
Question: What are William Cronon’s thoughts on The Endangered Species Act and preserving pristine wilderness? Do we have laws in India that aims to preserve and protect biological diversity? What are some of the challenges that we face in implementing such laws and what could be done to counter those challenges?
Answer 1
To clearly comprehend what Cronon says about The Endangered Species Act and about the preservation of wilderness, we must look at the two types of consequences attached with the usage of the term ‘wilderness’ as highlighted by William Cronon in his essay ‘The Trouble with Wilderness’. Cronon states that the label of ‘wilderness’ and the ways in which it is used makes us believe that nature is the ‘other’ and that we are separate from it. This becomes a problem as it leads us to being irresponsible towards nature. However, Cronon also emphasises that the tag of ‘wilderness’ has been successful at making humans aware of the distinctions in interests that exist among the humans and nonhumans which further encourages responsible behaviour towards nature (Cronon, 1996).
William Cronon states that the intention behind The Endangered Species Act in the United States was definitely to defend and protect the “pristine wilderness”. However, to do so and legally back the intention, the defenders have had to seek support by putting forward the case of a single species that is endangered. In this case, it has been the spotted owl which became the focus of various discussions and debates. Because the entire attempt relies on the single species, it became easier for the “anti-environmental forces” to pick out faults in the Act itself.
In India too, there are several laws that aim to preserve biological diversity. For instance, the Biological Diversity Act of 2002 to which the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 has been proposed addresses the issues of regulating who has access to biological diversity and who can take related measures, the roles of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and State Biodiversity Board (SBB) as well as the duties of the national and state governments among other concepts addressed (Chaturvedi & Sivanesan, 2022; The Biological Diversity Act, 2002, n.d.). The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 focuses on the recognition of zoos, hunting of wild animals, protection of plants, the National Tiger Conservation Authority among other areas addressed (The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, n.d.). India also has The Indian Forest Act, 1927 which talks about the reserved forests, village forests, protected forests, forest officers, etc. (The Indian Forest Act, 1927, n.d.). The more recent National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 talks about creation of the tribunal to address cases related to the environment and conservation of natural resources.
For any law to be implemented successfully, it is important for the people to be aware of not only the law but also its meaning and importance. This lack of awareness has been identified by many as the reason for the dim success of environmental laws in India. Moreover, there is a sense of humans being superior to nonhumans which is reflected in the poor identification of people with such laws. More reasons would include lack of adequate funds provided to the authority boards and lack of stringent punishments. A huge part of the problem would be solved if such concerns are handled by an independent body created lawfully. As of now, the authority boards and the acts passed come under the purview of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Moreover, it has also been suggested that a systematic structure of punishments and rewards would help in ensuring better treatment of natural resources (Dahiya, 2018).
Answer 2
William Cronon states that what has grown into us is a gigantic fascination towards “remote ecosystems” as the idea of wilderness has merged with themes of endangerment and biological diversity. This fascination makes us conjure a space in our minds where nature exists without the intervention of humans and is able to just be. Cronon states what Bill McKibben writes in his 1989 book The End of Nature. According to Bill, climate change which is said to have occurred unintentionally through atmosphere’s manipulation done by humans has now altered nature as we once understood it to be. There was a time when we existed in the natural world upon which we did not force any effect. However, today nature is entirely altered by our activities. This has happened to such an extent that there can be no distinction made between the natural world and humans as the latter have completely taken over the former (Cronon, 1996). This has been the effect of climate change on wilderness as we knew it before.
I agree with Bill McKaben because I, too, believe that humans have toyed overly with the boundaries that once existed between us and the natural world. However, I do not agree with Dave Foreman when he states that all the products of civilization including the earliest parts of agriculture are responsible for making humans grow apart from nature. I resonate with what Cronon writes about this ideology. He points out that if we are to agree with Foreman, we might as well return to the method of hunting and gathering as our only way of survival. For the “Earth Firsters” like Dave Foreman, the end of the world caused by nuclear explosions might prove to be an opportunity to return to the primitive methods of living. But, for many others, this will be a time of humongous grief and regret.
I firmly believe that our approach towards preserving the environment should be rooted in compassion, awareness and willingness to take constructive action. I also believe that many people who do understand the environmental concerns are either misinformed or are not fully aware of what steps they can take on an everyday basis. They fear that to preserve the environment, one would need to make highly life-altering decisions and take big steps. Thus, it is our responsibility to spread awareness about the little steps that can go a long way. If we can find ways to situate our actions directed towards environmental preservation in our daily routines then we can move closer to protecting our environment. However, if we think practically, we can conclude that while the small steps that we take can prove to be highly beneficial, they might still not be all that is required in this hour. When we are all aware of the bills that have been passed by the government, only then will we be able to ensure that the laws are adhered to by big institutions. Moreover, being compassionate towards our environment can bring us closer to it at a spiritual level which can further help us act with empathy. As Cronon states, when we idealise wilderness as something that is distant, we forget to care about our immediate environment. Thus, according to me, compassion, awareness and willingness instead of idealisation and fantasy are the keys to protection and preservation of the environment.
References
Chaturvedi , I., & Sivanesan, S. (2022). India introduces amendments to biodiversity laws: What this means for business. Retrieved from JD Supra: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/india-introduces-amendments-to-1019620/
Cronon, W. (1996). The Trouble with Wilderness: Or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/3985059
Dahiya, Y. (2018). Poor Implementation of Environmental Laws in India. Retrieved from iPleaders: https://blog.ipleaders.in/poor-implementation-environmental-laws/#_ftn15
The Biological Diversity Act, 2002. (n.d.). Retrieved from India Code: https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/2046?sam_handle=123456789/1362
The Indian Forest Act, 1927. (n.d.). Retrieved from India Code: https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/2388?view_type=search&sam_handle=123456789/1362
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. (n.d.). Retrieved from India Code: https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/1726
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