Religion and biodiversity conservation: not a mere analogy

Abstract

Asymbiotic relationship exists between biological diversity and cultural diversity, and this relationship constitutes a determining factor in ensuring sustainable human development. Religious beliefs and rituals (such an invariable part of the cultural milieu) are very much inter-linked and intimately related to management of the ecosystems. Religion forwards the conservation of natural biodiversity in several different ways. The first is by providing ethical and social models for living respectfully with nature. For most cultures, religion is a primary means of defining right and wrong. Since nature has spiritual powers, it commands respect and is included in the religious code of morality and etiquette by all religions, even though they may differ in their ways and means. These ethical beliefs and religious values influence our behaviour towards others, including our relationship with all creatures and plant life. Lately, such beliefs and customs are being treated with disdain and defined with a singular term ? superstition. Under such circumstances, religious values that acted as sanctions against environmental destruction do not retain a high priority and become displaced by economic factors. This paper is an attempt to document the different codes and ethics enshrined within the major world religions (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism) that have an inherent role towards the conservation of nature as a whole. The paper ends with a cautious note, that religion, rather than being declared obnoxious, needs to be reinterpreted to suit the secular premises of social living and thus has to be respected for its role towards the conservation of the vital linkages that sustain the very life on this planet.Asymbiotic relationship exists between biological diversity and cultural diversity, and this relationship constitutes a determining factor in ensuring sustainable human development. Religious beliefs and rituals (such an invariable part of the cultural milieu) are very much inter-linked and intimately related to management of the ecosystems. Religion forwards the conservation of natural biodiversity in several different ways. The first is by providing ethical and social models for living respectfully with nature. For most cultures, religion is a primary means of defining right and wrong. Since nature has spiritual powers, it commands respect and is included in the religious code of morality and etiquette by all religions, even though they may differ in their ways and means. These ethical beliefs and religious values influence our behaviour towards others, including our relationship with all creatures and plant life. Lately, such beliefs and customs are being treated with disdain and defined with a singular term ? superstition. Under such circumstances, religious values that acted as sanctions against environmental destruction do not retain a high priority and become displaced by economic factors. This paper is an attempt to document the different codes and ethics enshrined within the major world religions (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism) that have an inherent role towards the conservation of nature as a whole. The paper ends with a cautious note, that religion, rather than being declared obnoxious, needs to be reinterpreted to suit the secular premises of social living and thus has to be respected for its role towards the conservation of the vital linkages that sustain the very life on this planet.