Gandhi's Environmental Philosophy

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Questions and Answers

What can be inferred from Gandhi's practice and preaching of an austere life?

It is a rejection of industrialization

It is a call for urbanization

It is a reference point for environmental issues (correct)

It is a critique of modern society

What were Gandhi's reservations about industrialization in India?

Only ecological grounds

Only moral grounds

Both moral and ecological grounds (correct)

Neither moral nor ecological grounds

What did Gandhi warn against in terms of environmental degradation?

Three uninterrupted movements: industrialization, urbanization, and profit motives (correct)

Only profit motives of the capitalist system

Only uninterrupted urbanization

Only uninterrupted industrialization

What did Gandhi emphasize in terms of the relationship between man and nature?

A balanced approach Signup and view all the answers

What was Gandhi's view on the relationship between technology, economy, and society?

They should be in equilibrium Signup and view all the answers

What is intrinsic to the Gandhian paradigm?

Respect for nature Signup and view all the answers

How was Gandhi viewed earlier in terms of his environmental views?

He was criticized for his utopian ideals Signup and view all the answers

What is happening now in terms of Gandhi's environmental views?

He is being revered for his environmental views Signup and view all the answers

What were the concerns of the local population related to?

Forest reserve conservation and commercial activities Signup and view all the answers

Who were the significant catalysers of the Chipko movement?

Women like Mira Behn and others Signup and view all the answers

What was the organizational base of the women in the region initially based on?

The anti-alcohol movement and prohibition movement Signup and view all the answers

What was the event that took place in 1973?

The auction of 300 ash trees to a manufacturer of sports goods Signup and view all the answers

Who articulated the ecological view of the Himalayan forests philosophically and conceptually?

Mira Behn and Bahuguna Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason behind the organized protests?

Commercial exploitation of forests Signup and view all the answers

Who played a crucial role in spreading the movement to different parts of the state?

Men like Sunderlal Bahuguna, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, Ghanshyam Shailani, and Dhoom Singh Negi Signup and view all the answers

What was the main theme of Raturi's famous poem?

Embracing and saving the trees from being felled Signup and view all the answers

What was Gandhi's approach to achieving his vision?

Combining a utopian vision with practical means Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of Gandhi's life of austerity?

It created an example for individuals to follow Signup and view all the answers

Who was influenced by Gandhi's ideas?

Kumarappa and Mira Behn Signup and view all the answers

What did Gandhi advocate for in terms of resource use?

Voluntary reduction of wants and use of minimum resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of development associated with in a market economy?

Material progress of the individual Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the 'conquest over nature' approach?

Resource exploitation Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of environmental movements?

They are taken up against development projects Signup and view all the answers

What was Gandhi's influence on environmental thinking?

He influenced environmental thinking and practice Signup and view all the answers

What is a major concern despite the Chipko movement's efforts?

The preservation of ecological resources Signup and view all the answers

What has the movement failed to address?

The woes of women in search of resources for subsistence Signup and view all the answers

What has been a major outcome of the movement?

Few policy changes related to the protection of environment and natural resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between women's subsistence needs and commercial contractors' activities?

Women's needs are less than contractors' massive tree felling efforts Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of considering the long-term benefits of forest conservation?

It cannot be underestimated in the context of forest conservation Signup and view all the answers

What is an alien concept in the Indian context?

Man's endless desire to conquer nature for fulfilling unmitigated wants Signup and view all the answers

What deserves meritorious scrutiny in the context of ecofeminism?

The arguments put forward by Vandana Shiva Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of ancient Indian civilisation?

The veneration of nature and ecology in the ancient texts Signup and view all the answers

What was the Chipko movement primarily against?

Commodification of forest resources Signup and view all the answers

Who are the most affected in any negative development trend?

Women Signup and view all the answers

What did the Chipko movement demonstrate?

Resurgence of woman power Signup and view all the answers

What is the long-term benefit of judicious use of natural capital?

Benefit to the whole humankind Signup and view all the answers

What did the Chipko movement bring into light?

The burning issue of judicious use of natural capital Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote about the Chipko activists' effective means of conducting environmental campaigns?

Weber Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of environmental movements?

Conservation of natural resources for local population Signup and view all the answers

What can be learned from the Chipko movement's experience?

How to conduct environmental campaigns along non-violent lines Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gandhi - The Champion of Environmental Cause

Gandhi's practice and preaching of an austere life is an important reference point for anyone interested in environmental issues.
His simple living and high thinking, apart from the precepts he set forth in his ashrams, speaks volumes of his adherence to the principle of living with nature.
Gandhi warned against three uninterrupted movements that create environmental degradation problems: industrialization, urbanization, and profit motives of the capitalist system at the cost of developing countries.
He emphasized the synchronization of man-nature relationship, which was neglected in the post-independent period.
Gandhi's life of austerity created an example to follow at an individual level, and his views found an effective reverberation through the life and works of his close followers.

Environmental Movements

Environmental movements are taken up against development projects that depend on vast amounts of natural resources and their injudicious use and exploitation.
The concept of development promotes a thorough consumerist lifestyle, even projecting the lavishness of the lifestyle as a basic necessity.
The Chipko movement was led by women who were concerned about forest conservation and the needs of the local population.
The movement brought forth the issues of forest management and concern for ecological conservation, but failed to mitigate the woes of women who continue to move far and wide in search of resources necessary for subsistence.

Chipko Movement

The movement started in 1973 when around 300 ash trees had been auctioned in Mandal to a manufacturer of sports goods.
The movement was led by women, including Mira Behn, Sarala Behn, Bimala Behn, and many others, who were concerned about the commercial exploitation of forests.
The men of the movement, like Sunderlal Bahuguna, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, Ghanshyam Shailani, and Dhoom Singh Negi, played a crucial role in spreading the movement to different parts of the state.
The movement demonstrated the resurgence of woman power and their concern for the mother earth and ecology.

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Description

This quiz explores Mahatma Gandhi's views on nature and the environment, and how his simple living and high thinking principles can serve as a reference point for environmental issues.