The evolution of life on this planet is symbolized by a series of divine incarnations beginning

with fish, moving through amphibious forms and mammals, and then on into human
incarnations. This view clearly holds that man did not spring fully formed to dominate the lesser
life forms, but rather evolved out of these forms itself, and is therefore integrally linked to the
whole of creation.

Hindus are known to revere elements of nature since time immemorial. It is believed that the
Supreme Divinity is present in each and every element of nature, thus, Hindus worship each of
these elements with faith and one can find its traces in Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Sutras, and
other sacred Hindu texts. Millions of Hindus recite Sanskrit mantras daily to revere their rivers,
mountains, trees, animals, and the earth. This is due to a few of the key teachings and values of
Hinduism which embellish such traits in the followers of this religion.

Pancha Mahabhutas

Also known as the five great elements, Pancha Mahabhutas creates a web of life that is shown
forth in the structure and interconnectedness of the cosmos and the human body. Hinduism
teaches us that the five great elements i.e., space, air, fire, water, and earth that constitute the
environment are all derived from prakriti, the primal energy.

Each of these elements has its own life and form; together the elements are interconnected and
interdependent. The Upanishads explain the interdependence of these elements in relation to
Brahman, the supreme reality, from which they arise: “From Brahman arises space, from space
arises air, from air arises fire, from fire arises water, and from water arises earth.”

Hinduism recognizes that the human body is composed of and related to these five elements and
connects each of the elements to one of the five senses. The human nose is related to earth,
tongue to water, eyes to fire, skin to air, and ears to space. This bond between our senses and the
elements is the foundation of our human relationship with the natural world. For
Hinduism,nature and the environment are not outside us, not alien or hostile to us. They are an
inseparable part of our existence, and they constitute our very bodies.

Ishavasyam

Ishavasyam means divinity is omnipresent and takes infinite forms. Hindu texts such as the
Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavad Purana, contain many references to the omnipresence of the
Supreme divinity, including its presence throughout and within nature. Hindus worship and
accept the presence of God in nature. For example, many Hindus think of India’s mighty rivers
such as the Ganges as goddesses.

In the Mahabharata, it is noted that the universe and every object in it has been created as an
abode of the Supreme God meant for the benefit of all, implying that individual species should
enjoy their role within a larger system, in relationship with other species.
Dharma

Dharma, one of the most important Hindu concepts, has been translated into English as duty,
virtue, cosmic order, and religion. In Hinduism, protecting the environment is an important
expression of dharma. In past centuries, some Indian communities did not have an
understanding of “the environment” as separate from the other spheres of activity in their lives.

A number of rural Hindu communities such as the Bishnois, Bhils, and Swadhyaya have
maintained strong communal practices to protect local ecosystems such as forests and water
sources. These communities carry out these conservation-oriented practices not as
“environmental acts'' but rather as an expression of dharma. The Bishnois protecting animals
and trees, the Swadhyayis building Vriksha mandiras (tree temples) and Nirmal Nirs (water
harvesting sites), and the Bhils practising their rituals in sacred groves, are simply expression of
their reverence for creation according to Hindu teachings, not “restoration of environment.”
These traditional Indian groups do not see religion, ecology, and ethics as separate arenas of life,
instead, they understand it to be part of their dharma to treat creation with respect.

Karma

Karma is a central Hindu teaching, and it holds that each of our actions creates consequences,
both good and bad, which constitute our karma and determine our future fate, including the
place we will assume when we are reincarnated in our next life.

Our moral behaviour creates good karma, similarly, our behaviour towards the environment has
karmic consequences. As we have free choice, even though we may have harmed the
environment in the past, we can choose to protect the environment in the future, replacing
environmentally destructive karmic patterns with good ones.

Dharti Mata

Hindus consider the earth as Devi i.e. a goddess and believe that a mother deserves our devotion
and protection. Many Hindu rituals recognize that human beings benefit from the earth and offer
gratitude and protection in response. Many Hindus touch the floor before getting out of bed
every morning and ask Devi to forgive them for trampling on her body.

Millions of Hindus create kolams daily, an artwork consisting of bits of rice or other food placed
at their doorways, in the morning. These kolams express Hindu’s desire to offer sustenance to
the earth, just as the earth sustains themselves. The Chipko movement was made famous by
Chipko women’s commitment to “hugging” trees in their community to protect them from clear-
cutting by outside interests and represents a similar devotion to the earth.

We as humans, humans that form society, are deeply ingrained in nature and are in continuity
with the cosmos. Hinduism has a strong ethical direction aimed at keeping relational continuity
in balance. One can learn the true value of protecting and respecting nature from the teachings
of Hinduism. Follow me to get notified when part two of this blog releases with an additional 5
teachings of Hinduism about the environment.
  Narsingh purana personifies trees as God himself.
 Varaha purana advocates regular plantation as a means of achieving heaven.
 Matsya purana regards planting of single tree is equivalent to leaving a progeny of ten
sons.
 Vishnu purana says that God is pleased with a person who does not harm or destroy
other non-speaking creatures or animals.
 In Padma purana and Kama purana it is mentioned that the trees like peepal, bel, her,
neem etc. are the abode of God and they are not to be cut.
 Durga saptsati says that so long the earth has mountains, forests, trees plants etc. human
race will continue to survive.
 Charak samhita considers destruction of vegetation as the cause for drought.
 The Padma purana mentions that those who sacrifice cattle are doomed to perdition.
 In Manusmirthi the cruelty towards animal is totally condemned.
 It also mentions optimum use of the natural resources to maintain the balance in the eco
system.

flooding, drought, earthquake, tropical cyclone, lightning, tsunami, volcanic activity, wildfire.

According to the NDMA, floods affect about 75 lakh hectares of land and inflict damage worth
Rs 1,805 crore to crops, houses and public utilities every year in India. In 2023, floods have
caused extensive damage to several landmarks in Delhi, such as the Red Fort and the Supreme
Court

India is a country that faces the twin challenges of floods and droughts every
year. The monsoon season, which brings about 75% of the annual rainfall, is also a time of
great variability and uncertainty. Year after year, as the monsoon season progresses, floods
wreak havoc, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. As the 2023 monsoon progresses,
floods are beginning to repeat the pattern of damage and destruction. The magnitude of this
issue becomes apparent when we consider the staggering statistics: an average of at least one
major flood event each year, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive damage to land,
crops, houses, and public utilities.

What are the Causes of Floods in India?

 Heavy Rainfall:
o This is the most common cause of floods in India. The monsoon season, which lasts
from June to September, brings intense and erratic rainfall to different parts of
the country.
o Sometimes, the rainfall exceeds the capacity of the soil to absorb or the drainage
system to carry away the excess water, resulting in floods.
 o For example, in July 2023, Delhi received ‘excess’ and ‘large excess’ rain on five
out of eight days, from July 3-10. On July 9, it recorded 221.4 mm of rain, more
than the 209.7 mm that is the average for all of July.
 This contributed to the flooding of large parts of the city.
 Snowmelt:
o The snow and glaciers in the mountains melt due to rising temperatures and flow
down into the rivers and streams.
o This can increase the water level and cause floods downstream.
o For example, in February 2021, a massive flash flood occurred in Uttarakhand due
to a glacial burst that triggered an avalanche of snow, ice, and debris.
 Cyclones and Storms:
o These are weather events that can bring strong winds and heavy rains along the
coastal areas of India.
o They can cause storm surges, which are sudden rises in sea level due to low
atmospheric pressure and high winds.
o Storm surges can inundate low-lying areas and cause coastal flooding.
o For example, in May 2020, Cyclone Amphan hit West Bengal and Odisha with
wind speeds of up to 185 km/h and storm surges of up to 5 meters.
 River Overflow:
o This is a cause of floods that occurs when the water level in a river exceeds its
carrying capacity due to excessive inflow from upstream or reduced outflow
downstream.
o River overflow can be caused by factors such as heavy rainfall, snowmelt,
cyclones, dams, barrages, or siltation.
o For example, in 2023, the Yamuna River overflowed its banks due to heavy rainfall
in upstream states such as Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. The barrages in Delhi
were unable to effectively regulate and redirect the river’s flow, leading to flooding
of several areas along the river.
What are the Impacts of Floods in India?

 Loss of Life:
o Floods can cause fatalities due to drowning, injuries, infections, or electrocution.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority(NDMA), floods are
one of the most frequent and deadly natural disasters in India.
o Every year on average 1,600 lives is lost due to floods.
o Only half past 2023, at least 60 deaths have been confirmed due to floods across
North India, though the actual toll may be higher.
 Damage to Property:
o Floods can damage or destroy houses, buildings, roads, bridges, railways, power
lines, communication networks, and other infrastructure.
o Floods can also damage or wash away crops, livestock, vehicles, and other assets.
 o According to the NDMA, floods affect about 75 lakh hectares of land and inflict
damage worth Rs 1,805 crore to crops, houses and public utilities every year in
India.
o In 2023, floods have caused extensive damage to several landmarks in Delhi, such as
the Red Fort and the Supreme Court.
 Displacement of People:
o Floods can force people to leave their homes and seek shelter in safer places. This
can disrupt their normal lives and livelihoods.
o Floods can also create humanitarian crises by affecting the availability of food,
water, sanitation, health care, and education.
o According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, floods displaced
about 5.4 million people in India in 2020.
o In 2023, floods have displaced thousands of people in North India, especially in
Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
 Environmental Degradation:
o Floods can have negative impacts on the environment by eroding the soil, altering the
natural habitats of flora and fauna, polluting the water sources, and increasing
the risk of landslides and epidemics.
o Floods can also affect the ecological balance of rivers and wetlands by changing their
hydrology and biodiversity.
o For example, floods can threaten the survival of endangered species such as
the Gangetic dolphin and the gharial in the Yamuna River.
 Economic Losses:
o Floods can affect the economic growth and development of India by reducing
the agricultural output, disrupting the industrial production, affecting the
trade and commerce, and increasing the expenditure on relief and rehabilitation.
o Floods can also affect the tourism sector by damaging the cultural heritage and
natural attractions. According to a study by the World Bank, floods cost India
about $14 billion annually in direct losses.
What are the Solutions for Flood Management in India?

 Structural Measures
o Storage Reservoirs:
 These are artificial structures that store water during high-flow periods and
release it during low-flow periods.
 They can moderate the flood peak by reducing the volume and velocity of water
downstream.
 They can also conserve water for irrigation, electricity generation, water supply,
and other purposes.
 For example, the Bhakra Nangal Dam on the Sutlej River has a storage
capacity of about 9.34 BCM (billion cubic meters) and helps in flood control
as well as power generation and irrigation.
 o Embankments:
 These are raised structures that confine the flow of water within a channel or
along a bank.
 They can protect the adjacent areas from flooding by increasing the
carrying capacity of the river or diverting the excess water to other channels.
 They can also provide access roads and recreational facilities along the river.
 For example, the Kosi embankment project in Bihar aims to prevent flooding
by constructing embankments along both sides of the Kosi River.
o Diversions:
 These are structures that divert a part or all of the flow of water from one
channel to another.
 They can reduce flooding by transferring excess water to less vulnerable
areas or storage reservoirs.
 They can also provide irrigation or drinking water to other regions.
 For example, the Indira Gandhi Canal project diverts water from the Sutlej
and Beas rivers to the Thar desert in Rajasthan for irrigation and drinking
purposes.
 Non-structural Measures
o Flood Forecasting and Warning:
 This is a system that provides a prior estimate of approaching floods based on
meteorological and hydrological data.
 It helps in timely evacuation of people and movable assets to safer places.
 It also helps in reservoir operation and flood relief coordination.
 For example, the Central Water Commission (CWC) operates a network
of flood forecasting stations across India that issue daily bulletins and alerts
on flood situations.
o Flood Plain Zoning:
 This is a regulatory measure that restricts or regulates the use of land in flood-
prone areas based on their vulnerability and suitability.
 It aims to minimize the exposure and damage to human settlements and
infrastructure by discouraging or prohibiting development activities in high-
risk zones.
 It also promotes conservation and restoration of natural flood buffers such as
wetlands and forests.
 For example, NDMA has issued guidelines for flood plain zoning in India that
classify the land into four zones: prohibited, restricted, regulated, and free.
o Flood Insurance:
 This is a financial measure that provides compensation for losses caused by
floods to individuals or groups who pay a premium to an insurance company.
  It aims to reduce the burden of relief and rehabilitation on the
government and encourage risk reduction measures by the insured parties.
 It also helps in creating a database of flood risk and damage assessment. For
example, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a crop
insurance scheme that covers losses due to floods and other natural
calamities.
o Flood Awareness and Education:
 This is a social measure that involves creating awareness and imparting
knowledge about floods among various stakeholders such as communities,
officials, media, NGOs, etc.
 It aims to enhance the preparedness and response capacity of people by
providing information on flood hazards, risks, mitigation measures, early
warning systems, evacuation routes, emergency contacts, etc.
 It also helps in building a culture of safety and resilience among people.
 For example, the NDMA conducts various awareness campaigns and training
programs on flood management in India.
What Should be the Way Forward?

 The entire suite of measures structural and non-structural, appropriate mix of grey,
blue and green infrastructure needs to be considered for flood management.
 Mindsets need changing flood flows should be seen as a resource to be conserved for
subsequent use and water security.
 A river basin approach should be adopted for flood management while taking care of
the environment.
 It is prudent we upgrade the hydro-infrastructure in the country now so that the tools
to manage increased variabilities are available in time.

Cyclone

On average around 2 to 4 tropical cyclones impact India every year, while most of these
tropical cyclones impact the east coast of Indian states of West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu. From the 1960s to the mid-2000s, 65% of global tropical cyclone
fatalities were located in the Bay of Bengal.
The severe cyclones, Tauktae and Yaas, which battered India earlier this year, made landfall on
the country’s western coast, Gujarat, and the eastern coast, Odisha, respectively.

Both storms caused massive damage to infrastructure, the agricultural sector, and houses.
Around 2.5 million people were evacuated to cyclone shelters and relief camps in these two
States. The large-scale uprooting of trees in the urban areas affected already depleting green
cover.

Thus, during the Covid-19 pandemic, these cyclones caused additional financial responsibility
for State governments. The health costs are also an issue.

Cyclone Challenge in India

 Every year, around five to six tropical cyclones are formed in the Bay of Bengal and
the Arabian Sea; of these, two to three turn severe.
 The Indian coastline is around 7,500 km; there are 96 coastal districts (which touch the
coast or are close to it), with 262 million people exposed to cyclones and tsunamis.
 Increasing sea surface temperatures in the northern Indian Ocean and the geo-climatic
conditions in India have led to a rise in the frequency of devastating cyclones in the
coastal States accounting for 7% of the global tropical cyclones, according to India
Meteorological Department (IMD), 2013 data.
 Between 1891 and 2020, out of the 313 cyclones crossing India’s eastern and western
coasts, 130 were classified as severe cyclonic storms.

o The west coast experienced 31 cyclones, while 282 cyclones crossed the east coast.
o The Odisha coast witnessed 97 cyclones, followed by Andhra Pradesh (79), Tamil
Nadu (58), West Bengal (48), Gujarat (22), Maharashtra/Goa (7), and Kerala (2).
 The World Bank and the United Nations (2010) estimate that around 200 million city
residents would be exposed to storms and earthquakes by 2050 in India.
Economic Cost of Cyclone Disasters

 Second Most Expensive: Among the natural disasters, cyclones constituted the second
most frequent phenomena that occurred in 15% of India’s total natural disasters over
1999-2020.

o During the same period, 12,388 people were killed, and the damage was estimated at
USD 32,615 million.
o Cyclones are the second most expensive in terms of the costs incurred in damage,
accounting for 29% of the total disaster-related damages after floods (62%).
 Third Most Lethal Disaster: In addition, they are the third most lethal disaster in India
after earthquakes (42%) and floods (33%).

o However, fatalities due to cyclones declined from 10,378 in 1999 to 110 in 2020.
o The significant drop was on account of improved early warning systems, cyclone
forecasting, and better disaster management activities such as timely evacuation,
 rehabilitation and relief distributions.

 But these measures are not adequate to achieve a zero-fatality approach and
minimise economic losses from cyclones.
 Between 1999 and 2020, cyclones inflicted substantial damage to public and private
properties, amounting to an increase in losses from USD 2,990 million to USD 14,920
million in the absence of long-term mitigation measures.

o In addition, damages caused due to cyclones increased nine times during the same
period.
 Precautionary Expenditure: Cyclones also led to an increase in the fiscal burden of
governments through increased spending to implement effective cyclone
preparation measures.
 India lost around 2% of GDP and 15% of total revenue over 1999-2020. According to
the Global Climate Risk Index report 2021, India ranks the seventh worst-hit country
globally in 2019 due to the frequent occurrence of extreme weather-related events.

o Moreover, the report showed that India lost around 2,267 human lives, while
damages stood at USD 68,812 million in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) terms in
2019.
o In the same year, India ranked first concerning human deaths and economic losses
due to extreme weather-related events.
o The Asian Development Bank’s report in 2014 estimated that India would suffer a
loss of around 1.8% of GDP annually by 2050 from climate-related events.
Way Forward

 Take Precautionary Measures: It is imperative to improve the cyclone warning system

and revamp disaster preparedness measures.
 Structural Measures: The Government must widen the cover under shelterbelt
plantations and help regenerate mangroves in coastal regions to lessen the impact of
cyclones.

o In addition, adopting cost-effective, long-term mitigation measures, including

building cyclone-resilient infrastructure such as constructing storm surge-resilient
embankments, canals and improving river connectivity to prevent waterlogging in
low-lying areas are important.
o Installing disaster-resilient power infrastructure in the coastal districts, providing
concrete houses to poor and vulnerable households, and creating massive community
awareness campaigns are essential.
 Collective Efforts: Healthy coordination between the Centre and the States concerned is
essential to collectively design disaster mitigation measures.

o It is only such a collective mitigation effort by the Centre and States that can help
reduce the fiscal burden of States and also be effective in minimising disaster deaths.
 Case Study - State Level Interventions:

o In the aftermath of the 1999 super cyclone, the Government of Odisha took up
various cyclone mitigation measures which included installing a disaster warning
system in the coastal districts, and construction of evacuation shelters in cyclone-
prone districts.
o Other steps were the setting up of the Odisha State Disaster Management
Authority (OSDMA), conducting regular cabinet meetings for disaster preparedness,
and building the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF).
o All these activities have helped to minimise the toll from cyclonic storms such
as Hudhud, Fani, Amphan, and Yaas. However, still Odisha’s disaster
management model is inadequate to minimise the economic losses that result from
cyclones.

impacts of global warming on climate of India

The effect of global warming on the climate of India has led to climate disasters as per some
experts. India is a disaster prone area, with the statistics of 27 out of 35 states being disaster
prone, with foods being the most frequent disasters. The process of global warming has led to an
increase in the frequency and intensity of these climatic disasters.
According to surveys, in the year 2007-2008, India ranked the third highest in the world
regarding the number of significant disasters, with 18 such events in one year, resulting in the
death of 1103 people due to these catastrophes.
The anticipated increase in precipitation, the melting of glaciers and expanding seas have the
power to influence the Indian climate negatively, with an increase in incidence of floods,
hurricanes, and storms.
Global warming may also pose a significant threat to the food security situation in India.
According to the The Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, if the process of global
warming continues to increase, resulting climatic disasters would cause a decrease in India’s
GDP to decline by about 9%, with a decrease by 40% of the production of the major crops. A
temperature increase of 2° C in India is projected to displace seven million people, with a
submersion of the major cities of India like Mumbai and Chennai.
Recent climatic disasters in India due to global warming
Floods in India
India is the most flood distressed state in the world after Bangladesh, accounting for 1/ 5th of
the global deaths every year with 30 million people displaced from their homes yearly.
Approximately 40 million hectares of the land is vulnerable to floods, with 8 million hectares
affected by it. Unprecedented floods take place every year at one place or the other, with the
most vulnerable states of India being Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Gujarat,
Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. The
climatic history of India is studded with a very large number of floods, which have wreaked
havoc on the country’s economy.
The top floods in India’s history

1. 1987 Bihar Flood : The flood of 1987 in Bihar was so destructive that it left a total of 1400
people and more than 5000 animal dead. A total of 67,881+680.86 lac INR was the damage
to the state; affecting more than 29 million people. After this flood, the River Koshi has
been named as” Sorrow of Bihar” (Bihar kashok).
2. 2008 Bihar floods: The 2008 Bihar floods are considered as one of the most disastrous
floods in the state’s history. The flood affected more than 2 million people. The flooded
and affected areas were Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, Champaran and Purnea.

Other major floods in India

1. 2005: Maharashtra flood: In 2005, a major climatic catastrophe occurred in the state of
Maharashtra in the form of massive floorings, leading to a death toll of 5000 people. The
areas of Mumbai, Chiplun, Khed, Kalyan, Ratnagiri and Raigad were completely flooded,
hence naming the date 26 July 2005 as the BLACK DAY in the history of Mumbai.
2. 2005: Gujarat Floods: The wave of floods in Maharashtra reached the state of Gujarat as
well, accounting for one of the worst floods in the Indian History as it caused a financial
loss of more than Rs.800 million. This disaster took place in a row of days from 30th June
to July 11, killing more than 123 people and a total of 250k people were evacuated.
Infrastructure of the state also suffered badly as train services, Road Operations and
communications were destroyed.

Other climatic disasters in India

Droughts: Of the total agricultural land in India, about 68% is prone to drought of which 33% is
chronically drought prone, receiving rainfall of less than 750mm per year. This is particularly
the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. The
World Record for Drought was in 2000 in Rajasthan, India.
According to researches, unabated global warming will lead to exacerbation of the droughts,
cutting down the water availability in the plains of Pradesh and Bihar. India’s initial National
Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCCC) on Climate
Change projects that Luni; the west flowing rivers of Kutchh and Saurashtra are likely to
experience acute physical water scarcity. The river basins of Mahi, Pennar, Sabarmati and Tapi
are also likely to experience constant water scarcities and shortages.
The Indian economy is considered as one of the fastest growing major economies. However, the
country is plagued by climatic disasters that continue to wreak havoc on its economy. As a
result, majority of the people of India continue to live in poverty, with malnutrition and diseases
corroding the society. In this light, a comprehensive mitigation and adaptation plan needs to be
drafted and implemented for better preparation and response to such climate disasters that are
generated as a result of global warming.