पर्यावरण-केंद्रित दृष्टिकोण और वन्यजीव संरक्षण नैतिकता
स्रोत:द हिंदू ↗
क्यों मायने रखता है
This article brilliantly bridges GS3 (Wildlife Conservation) and GS4 (Environmental Ethics). It provides essential vocabulary—'anthropocentric vs. eco-centric' and 'intrinsic vs. instrumental value'—which is highly useful for Mains answers or essays on environmental conservation. It also links constitutional duties (Article 51A) directly to environmental jurisprudence.
सारांश
During a Supreme Court hearing on the conservation of the endangered Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican, Justice P.S. Narasimha criticized concepts like "inter-generational equity" for being anthropocentric. He argued that such frameworks treat nature as a resource for human consumption rather than acknowledging the intrinsic worth of species. Advocating for an eco-centric approach, he highlighted the constitutional mandate under Article 51A(g) to show compassion for all living creatures. His remarks emphasized that conservation laws must shift from viewing wildlife through the lens of human utility to protecting species for their inherent right to exist.
मुख्य बिंदु
- The Supreme Court is hearing a petition concerning the conservation and captive breeding of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican.
- Justice P.S. Narasimha criticized Western environmental concepts like "inter-generational equity" as being fundamentally anthropocentric, viewing nature merely as an exploitable resource for human generations.
- He advocated for an eco-centric approach, emphasizing that endangered species must be protected for their "intrinsic worth" rather than their "instrumental value" to humans.
- The judge highlighted Article 51A(g) of the Constitution, which mandates the fundamental duty of citizens to protect the environment and have compassion for all living creatures.
- He drew parallels to a 2012 Red Sanders conservation case where the court previously recognized the need for an eco-centric approach in Indian biodiversity law.
- Captive breeding numbers show 70 Great Indian Bustards and 70 Lesser Floricans in captivity, though breeding the Lesser Florican is proving difficult.
महत्वपूर्ण शब्द
Great Indian Bustard
A critically endangered bird, endemic to India and the state bird of Rajasthan, primarily threatened by habitat loss and overhead power line collisions in its grassland habitat.
UPSC context
GS पेपर III (पर्यावरण): लुप्तप्राय प्रजातियों का संरक्षण और सुप्रीम कोर्ट में 'विकास बनाम संरक्षण' की बहस।
Article 51A(g)
A Fundamental Duty under Part IV-A of the Constitution requiring every Indian citizen to protect the natural environment and show compassion for all living creatures.
UPSC context
GS Paper II (Polity): Constitutional duties of citizens and their role in environmental jurisprudence.
Anthropocentrism
An ethical framework that places human beings at the center of the universe, valuing nature only in terms of its utility or benefit to humanity.
UPSC context
GS पेपर IV (एथिक्स): मानव-प्रकृति संबंध और पर्यावरण संरक्षण का नैतिक आधार।
Eco-centrism
A nature-centered philosophy recognizing that all species and ecosystems have intrinsic worth, independent of their usefulness to human beings.
UPSC context
GS Paper IV (Ethics): Ethical frameworks for sustainable development and species protection.
Inter-generational Equity
The principle that the current generation has a moral obligation to manage resources sustainably so that future generations can enjoy similar opportunities.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Environment): Sustainability concepts rooted in the 1987 Brundtland Report and international law.
Lesser Florican
The smallest bustard species, endemic to India and critically endangered; it is known for its spectacular leaping breeding displays in monsoon grasslands.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Environment): Protection of endemic and critically endangered species in Indian grasslands.
प्रारंभिक ट्रैप
"The principle of inter-generational equity is inherently eco-centric as it protects flora and fauna for their intrinsic worth."
False. Inter-generational equity is anthropocentric. It focuses on preserving resources for the utility of future human generations, rather than acknowledging nature's intrinsic right to exist.
संबंधित अवधारणाएँ
How does the Indian Constitution structurally mandate environmental protection?
- Article 48A (DPSP): Directs the State to endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the country's forests and wildlife.
- Article 51A(g) (FD): Makes it a fundamental duty of every citizen to protect the natural environment and to have compassion for living creatures.
- Article 21 (FR): The Supreme Court has broadly interpreted the fundamental right to life to include the right to live in a clean and healthy environment.
What is the conservation status and habitat of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB)?
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and Appendix I of CITES.
- Habitat: Primarily arid and semi-arid grasslands. The largest surviving population is concentrated in the Desert National Park in Rajasthan.
- Key Threats: Fatal collisions with overhead power transmission lines, habitat degradation due to agriculture, and historical hunting.
अंतर-विषय पैटर्न
GS4 Environmental Ethics application
The SC's critique of "instrumental value" versus "intrinsic worth" of nature directly feeds into GS4 questions on anthropocentrism vs. eco-centrism and the moral standing of non-human entities.
Rights of Nature jurisprudence
This aligns with a growing global jurisprudence trend shifting from human climate vulnerability to granting standalone legal personhood and rights to ecosystems, rivers, and endangered species.
2026 के Prelims में GIB की IUCN स्थिति, संवैधानिक कर्तव्यों (Art 51A) और इको-सेंट्रिज्म (eco-centrism) की परिभाषा को मिलाने वाले एक कथन की अपेक्षा करें।
संबद्ध PYQ · 3
संबद्ध PYQ · 3
- 2016PrelimsGS1
With reference to 'Red Sanders', sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: 1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India. 2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rain forest areas of South India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 2012PrelimsGS1
Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?
- 2015MainsGS4
What is meant by 'environmental ethics'? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one environmental issue from the viewpoint of environmental ethics.
