International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Indian Philosophical Pathways to Eco Wisdom and Sustainable Development

This paper examines ancient Indian philosophical texts, including the Vedas and Upanishads, to uncover principles like Dharma and Rta relevant to contemporary sustainability. The paper argues that concepts like Dharma (righteous duty) and Rta (cosmic order) may be used as a guide for current conceptualizations of sustainability, resonating with ethical restraint, moderation of nature's limitations, and a feeling of responsibility to posterity. Linking these ideas to India’s environmental policies-— the study bridges classical thought and contemporary practice by analyzing how these philosophical principles resonate with, and critique, Indian’s environmental policies such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and renewable initiatives. Drawing on both textual analysis and policy critique, the paper proposes a culturally rooted sustainability model that integrates Indigenous knowledge systems, ethical traditions, and adaptive ecological governance. Moreover, viewed through this lens, the article reveals the potential of India's well-endowed philosophical heritage in the global sustainability discourse, initiating an approach to development that is as ecologically conscious as it is culturally meaningful. Ultimately, it argues that true sustainability in India cannot be achieved through policy mechanisms alone. Instead, it requires a deeper cultural shift— one that restores philosophical ethics as central to climate action and reimagines the Earth not as a resource, but as a sacred entity helping all beings to flourish.