Idols in gold, hearts in darkness : A festival we need to rethink
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Dr Debapriya Mukherjee
Contd from previous issue
When we align our religious values with environ- mental responsibility, we strengthen the bond between faith and life— reminding ourselves that true devotion is not only prayer, but also the conscious act of giving back to the nature that sustains us.
Nature proves its existence every day through sunlight, rain, wind, mountains, rivers, forests, and the breath we take without thinking. Worshipping nature teaches humility, inter- connectedness, gratitude, responsibility, and harmony rather than fear, blind obedience, or ritualistic duty. At a time when the environment is suffering, species are disappearing, and climate change threatens humanity, honouring nature is not just a spiritual choice but a moral necessity.
If we truly worship nature, we must protect forests instead of cutting them for greed, because forests purify the air, protect soil, maintain rainfall, and shelter countless species.
Instead of polluting rivers with chemicals, plastics, and ritual waste, we should treat rivers as sacred lifelines—by reducing waste, avoiding harmful detergents, creating waste-treatment facilities, and restoring native vegetation along riverbanks. Worshipping nature also means respecting animals—not merely avoiding cruelty, but protecting their habitats, preventing illegal hunting, and supporting ethical and sustainable farming. Caring for nature can be as simple as planting a tree, growing vegetables in one’s garden, practicing rainwater harvesting, reducing plastic use, composting household waste, or cycling instead of driving short distances. Schools and communities can create butterfly gardens, seed banks, rooftop gardens, and sacred groves— just as ancient cultures did as act of devotion. Even urban areas can honour nature by creating parks, wetlands, and green corridors so birds, insects, and animals can coexist with humans. When we nourish the soil, conserve water, protect wildlife, and grow more greenery, we do not just offer worship—we repair the damage caused by human neglect.
So, the goal is not to stop using nature, because survival depends on it; the goal is to use nature with respect, balance, and responsibility. If we treat nature like a partner rather than a resource to exploit, we ensure that future generations will also have food to eat, air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a healthy planet to live on.
Dr Debapriya Mukherjee is former Senior Scientist at Central Pollution Control Board, based in Kolkata. He can be reached at E-mail : [email protected]
Contd from previous issue
When we align our religious values with environ- mental responsibility, we strengthen the bond between faith and life— reminding ourselves that true devotion is not only prayer, but also the conscious act of giving back to the nature that sustains us.
Nature proves its existence every day through sunlight, rain, wind, mountains, rivers, forests, and the breath we take without thinking. Worshipping nature teaches humility, inter- connectedness, gratitude, responsibility, and harmony rather than fear, blind obedience, or ritualistic duty. At a time when the environment is suffering, species are disappearing, and climate change threatens humanity, honouring nature is not just a spiritual choice but a moral necessity.
If we truly worship nature, we must protect forests instead of cutting them for greed, because forests purify the air, protect soil, maintain rainfall, and shelter countless species.
Instead of polluting rivers with chemicals, plastics, and ritual waste, we should treat rivers as sacred lifelines—by reducing waste, avoiding harmful detergents, creating waste-treatment facilities, and restoring native vegetation along riverbanks. Worshipping nature also means respecting animals—not merely avoiding cruelty, but protecting their habitats, preventing illegal hunting, and supporting ethical and sustainable farming. Caring for nature can be as simple as planting a tree, growing vegetables in one’s garden, practicing rainwater harvesting, reducing plastic use, composting household waste, or cycling instead of driving short distances. Schools and communities can create butterfly gardens, seed banks, rooftop gardens, and sacred groves— just as ancient cultures did as act of devotion. Even urban areas can honour nature by creating parks, wetlands, and green corridors so birds, insects, and animals can coexist with humans. When we nourish the soil, conserve water, protect wildlife, and grow more greenery, we do not just offer worship—we repair the damage caused by human neglect.
So, the goal is not to stop using nature, because survival depends on it; the goal is to use nature with respect, balance, and responsibility. If we treat nature like a partner rather than a resource to exploit, we ensure that future generations will also have food to eat, air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a healthy planet to live on.
Dr Debapriya Mukherjee is former Senior Scientist at Central Pollution Control Board, based in Kolkata. He can be reached at E-mail : [email protected]