Manhattan gandhi biography environment

By Dr Anupma Kaushik Reader in Political Science, Banasthali University, Rajasthan

Mahatma Gandhi never used the word environment protection however what he said and did makes him an environmentalist.

Although during his time environmental problems were not recognized as such however with his amazing foresight and insight he predicted that things are moving in the wrong direction. As early as in 1909 in his book 'Hind Swaraj' he cautioned mankind against unrestricted industrialism and materialism.¹ He did not want India to follow the west in this regard and warned that if India, with its vast population, tried to imitate the west than the resources of the earth will not be enough.² He argued even in 1909 that industrialization and machines have an adverse effect on the health of people.³ Although he was not opposed to machines as such; he definitely opposed the large scale use of machinery.⁴ He criticized people for polluting the rivers and other water