Sustainable development in Hinduism

In Hinduism, divinity should not be segregated from creation and the all-embracing presence should be constantly felt. It teaches that everything is interrelated and interdependent. It is reflected in the Upanishas which emphasis that:

 “…This Universe is the creation of Supreme power meant for the benefit of all His [sic] creation. Each individual life form must therefore learn to enjoy its benefit by forming part of the system in close relation with other species. Let not any one species encroach upon the rights of the others. The universe along with its creatures, belong to the Lord. No creature is superior to any other. Human beings should not be above nature. Let no one species encroach over the rights and privileges of other species..”.

       Hindu ancient practice already applied sustainability in their life system where they disciplined the society by partitioning the use of natural resources according to specific occupations thus created ‘ecological space’ which help to reduce competition among various people for limited natural resources. 

            Furthermore, a Hindu is expected to be carried out environmental values and duties in daily lives. Even they address their tradition as manava dharma or human culture. Dharma connotes moral value that shows the essentiality to uphold, maintain, support, or nourish the human needs.  Generally, dharma is implied in his daily practices as he sees everything he acquires in abundance belongs to the almighty. As stated in Atharva Veda, versus 12.1:

Earth, in which lie the sea, the river, and other waters,
            in which food and cornfields have come to be,
            in which live all that breathes and that moves,
            may she confer on us the finest of her yield....

            Set me, O Earth, amidst what is thy center and thy navel,
            and vitalizing forces that emanate from thy body.
            Purify us from all sides. Earth is my Mother; her son am I;
            and Heaven my Father: may he fill us with plenty....
                                                                                        Atharva Veda 12.1

          The empathy and compassion to all living and non-living things and to live harmoniously with the nature is inbuilt in their traditions. To live a meaningful life, which in this context can be equated with the notion of living sustainably, Indians adhere to the tat twam asi or ‘Thou art I’ (Chandokya Upanishad) philosophy, a fundamental concepts of compassion towards the whole existence.