ANALYSIS
Identities, as well as traditions, are threatened by both destruction and protection of environment
We are currently in the throes of a new iteration of how individuals, societies and countries view and portray their identity. There was a time when the urge was to find commonality among identities while also celebrating uniqueness. This ‘Brotherhood/Sisterhood’ resulted in the formation of the United Nations and its many organisations and also NATO and the Warsaw Pact. The world has moved from Woodstock, about which Joni Mitchell said, “Woodstock was a spark of beauty where half-a-million kids saw that they were part of a greater organism,” to Live Aid where the world came together to help the people of Ethiopia. Now, Glastonbury, Burning Man and Coachella provide platforms for the audience to celebrate their uniqueness while enjoying the music.
There are national, religious, and social identities that one recognises, preserves and respects or is compelled to do so. However, for the lesser-known ethnic identities, this has not been the case. They have been pummelled by big organisations.
One of the first instances of ethnic identity coming head-to-head with environmental protection was the attempt by environmental organisations to prevent the commercial slaughter of seal pups for their fur in the early 1970s. The resulting ban impacted the Inuit communities and their way of life.
In the above instance, protecting the environment resulted in the indigenous communities becoming collateral damage. There have been instances where indigenous communities have used their ethnic identity to resist the takeover of their land by corporations and governments. In the process of this resistance they have protected the environment for the larger society.
The example of the ongoing battle of the Dongria Kondh (a tribe in India) to protect the Niyamgiri hill range provides an example of how identity is linked to protecting the environment. The Dongria Kondh believe that the Niyamgiri Hill is ‘our God, our Lord, our Goddess, our father, our mother, our life, our death, our flesh, our blood, our bones’, as a Dongria tribal woman put it. This deep link is based on the fact that the hill provides for their livelihood. This dependence is acknowledged by the fact that the word ‘Dongria’ means hill. The efforts of Vedanta, a multinational company, to mine these hills for Bauxite are being blocked by the Dongria Kondh because their survival depends on the munificence of Niyamgiri. By fighting to protect their way of life and identity, the Dongria Kondh are also protecting the environment.
In the US, Native Americans protested against the Dakota Access Pipeline which passes through their Sacred Grounds. In their fight to protect what they hold sacred, Native Americans are also preventing water resources, accessed by all Americans, from being contaminated.
Cultural identity has proved to be a potent force to argue against environment protection too. Japan is leaving the International Whaling Commission and will begin commercial whaling in July 2019. Since 1986 when a ban on commercial whaling was put in place, Japan carried on whaling due to a loophole: whaling for research and scientific purposes.
International environmental organisations have been unable to prevent the Japanese from killing whales. The whaling industry in Japan began in the 1600s and is now subsidised by the Japanese government. The Japanese demand for whale meat also drives the commercial whaling industry of Iceland and Norway where whale meat consumption is miniscule.
Also in Japan, the residents of the town of Taiji capture dolphins for food and for sale to marine parks. It is said that this feature began in 1969 and, therefore, cannot be accorded the argument of being part of a culture or tradition. The inhabitants of Faroe islands cull whales in an annual ritual called grindadráp. The whale meat is consumed locally.
An article in the Japan Times suggests that the reason Japan continues to whale is to show it ‘isn’t cowed by gaiatsu (outside pressure)’. Another article suggests that Japanese recalcitrance to bow to international pressure on this instance is because of their fear that it can open the floodgates to other similar demands on other aspects of the Japanese way of life. This just goes to show how a cultural and dietary habit can grow into a form of nationalism.
But it is not only in the case of the environment where one sees such conflict. It is also in the arena of domesticated animals. Closer home, the treatment meted out to cows has brought out the worst in people. The traditions revolving around these animals bring out a culture, which is rich in chauvinism and double standards. For example, on the one hand, jallikattu is seen as part of cultural identity, the practise and preservation of which is larger than the concern for the treatment meted out to these animals during the event. But, on the other hand, the concern for these animals is so great that it permits lynching of human beings when it comes to old cattle becoming a source of food and raw material.
As humans are on top of the food chain, we derive life from the environment. Today, traditions, cultural and ethnic identities are in a unique situation of being threatened by environmental destruction and protection. This is catalysing the formation of new social groups with identities of their own to prevent either. The challenge set before humans is not of the old and the new living together but, the manner of their co-existence.
Author has worked in the development sector
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio loses nearly 80 lakh subscribers in just 30 days, BSNL adds...
IND vs AUS, 1st Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs Australia match
This country has most expensive passport in world, not US, UK, UAE, it costs Rs...
Amid rising air pollution, Delhi-NCR's crematorium records cleanest air; check AQI here
Revolutionising Medical Imaging: Venudhar Rao Hajari’s impact on healthcare technology
Abhishek Gupta and Onevision Media: Scaling brands on social media
Video shows Korean girl eating jalebi for first time, her reaction to Indian sweet goes viral
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details
Charges against Gautam Adani: BJP's scathing attack on Congress, questions timing of development
Jasprit Bumrah's BIG statement on taking up Perth test captaincy, says, 'tactically better...'
Blackout on breaks: Company imposes no-sick-leave policy until 2025
Drug-laden terrorists on India's western, northern frontiers
Mohammad Shami trolls Sanjay Manjrekar over IPL auction bid prediction, says, 'Baba ki...'
IND vs AUS Test: When and where to watch 1st match of Border-Gavaskar trophy, know details here
CAQM amends Grap Stages III, IV, enforces stricter measures in Delhi-NCR amid air pollution woes
Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 after suffering from...
Adani Green Energy's FIRST reaction after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
'Keep me out of...': Pakistani Instagram star Mathira on MMS leak controversy
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI marginally improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category
'I love him, he loves me! Why hurt...': Rekha's bold confession about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral
Meet man, IITian who built Rs 5493 crore firm, has this Mukesh Ambani connection, he is from...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 21, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
‘I didn’t have time to…’: When AR Rahman revealed having ‘agreement’ before marriage to Saira Banu
Viral video: Woman's sizzling belly dance to 'Namak' impresses internet, watch
Hardik Pandya banned, Mumbai Indians captain to miss first match of IPL 2025 due to...
Meet man who studied at IIM, IIT, then built Rs 1160000000 company, got inspired by…
Meet woman, who quit as dentist for UPSC exam, became IAS officer with AIR...
Viral video: Little girl steals hearts with her adorable dance to 'o meri cutie', watch
Gautam Adani's company signs another pact to acquire 100% stake in...
CBSE Date Sheet 2025 announced: Class 10, 12 board exams to begin from...
Apollena: Aditi Sharma on how space-based drama encourage young girls, says 'no matter how many...'
Is Mia Khalifa dating ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez? Former adult star says 'It certainly...'
IPL 2025 auction RTM rule: How this year’s right-to-match card is different from previous seasons
'Virat Kohli is trying to...': Shoaib Akhtar makes BIG statement on Champions Trophy 2025
Maharashtra Election 2024: Mukesh Ambani and family cast their votes in Mumbai
Centre revises performance-linked incentive scheme for THESE employees; check details
Manipur violence: Prohibitory orders to be relaxed in Imphal Valley for 7 hours
Jharkhand Exit Poll Results 2024: 36-41 seats predicted for BJP, JMM to secure…
Elon Musk faces big threat after million of users switch from X to Jack Dorsey's Bluesky
ICC Rankings: Hardik Pandya reclaims No. 1 T20I all-rounder spot, Tilak Varma enters top 10
DNA Verified: Is retirement age for central govt employees increasing to 62? Know truth here
Android 16 preview unveiled by Google: Who can access it? Here's all you need to know
Anti-pollution diet: Foods that can help fight air pollution naturally
Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson's face 'blows up' after anti-aging experiment; here’s how