Even before ‘sustainability’ became popular, Indian traditions encouraged interconnectedness between humans and nature. They preached concepts that encouraged protecting the planet while we use its resources. This blog will explore some sustainability-related concepts already used in Indian traditions.
Circular- economy:
Indian philosophy talks about oneness with nature. Mother Earth has always been considered sacred and worshipped. Anything created and consumed was returned. Thus, a circular economy model was always followed. For instance, food waste was composted and used as fertilizer for crops. We could see zero-waste households where even torn-out clothes/ broken utensils were repurposed.
Responsible consumption:
“India has a deep philosophical tradition of being able to live a good life without excessive goods.” (Jaideep Prabhu, India developed the pillars of a circular economy — this approach preserves nature, Times Evoke, July 2021, New Delhi)1. Handmade products were used for cooking and clothing from local resources and were durable. This also meant product longevity and less production. Food was served on banana leaves and was compostable. A household grew their food and poultry for their household.
Bioeconomy:
Indian traditional practices used biological resources for food, energy, and materials. Traditional medicines were from plants and herbs. Bamboo serves multipurpose utility. Only plant-based dyes were used in handlooms.
“With a name that means ‘the Indian’ or ‘from India’, the color Indigo is oven cozily into Indian history for over 6000 years”
Eco-friendly construction:
Natural materials were used to construct homes and were locally sourced. The designs also had ventilation that required minimal energy usage and greater protection.
Regenerative agriculture:
Although the methods were not called regenerative agriculture, they focused on restoring soil health and long-term productivity. Cow dung was used as a natural fertilizer, and rotating crops helped restore nitrogen. Stepwells, Eri, and baolis have helped conserve and recharge groundwater.
Net Zero:
The concept can be seen in multiple places. There was a balance between what was extracted and restored in terms of natural resources. A carbon-neutral cycle was part of the lifestyle, whether in the house or in what people consumed, wore, produced, etc.
“The Earth has enough for everyone’s needs, but not for everyone’s greed“, Mahatma Gandhi
We have worshipped the five elements- Air, Water, Space, Fire and, Land. “The lesson of ancient wisdom cultures is to respect this balance, harmony, and interconnectedness.” (Ram Prasad, Ancient Indian Wisdom: Timeless Lessons For Modern Sustainability, Earth.Org, Oct 2024)2. Traditional Indian practices align with the definition of sustainable development and we should take inspiration from the practices for a conscious living.
About the author: Monika is the Program Coordinator for Beyos School at Beyond Sustainability, where she thrives on creativity and passion. To describe her, she is an #experimenter, #passionate individual, and a #dancer. Her superpowers include being an instant solution provider, excelling at stakeholder engagement, and being a natural multi-tasker.
