India was sustainable before sustainability was a thing
Zero waste and sustainability are contemporary terminologies, dominating current conversations across the board. It’s cool to say that one is sustainable and living a zero waste life. All of these changes are paving the way for a greener future ahead. While getting to this way of life that promises lower impact on the planet, one needs to make changes that might be drastic, essentially changing the course of what one’s lifestyle originally looked like.
As against that, sustainability in India was a way of life. It wasn’t driven by environmental crises or industrialisation. Rather, it was a seamless way of living where humans and the environment live harmoniously. In that regard, India was way ahead of the curve.
Take for example, agriculture, which is a major contributor to the Indian economy. The foundation for traditional Indian farming practices was laid on respect for the land and an understanding of its natural cycles. It relied on crop rotation and the use of organic fertilisers, which have now been adopted in different ways in modern organic farming. Traditionally, the idea was to work with the soil, rather than against it, thereby preserving its fertility for generations.
Similarly, rainwater harvesting, which again is so commonly heard of now, has its roots back in ancient India. Ingenious water systems such as step wells and underground tanks stored rainwater, therefore reducing dependency on external water sources and minimising water wastage. These systems developed so many hundred years ago, reflect a deep, nuanced understanding of the water cycle and are now being rediscovered in modern times.
Speaking of stepwells and the intricate craftsmanship behind it, brings us to reflect on our traditional Indian architecture. Indian architecture was built taking into consideration factors such as sunlight, wind direction and locally available materials. By taking these diverse aspects into consideration, traditional Indian homes were built to stay cool no matter how hot it got outside. Materials such as mud, clay and stone, were commonly used. They are natural, non toxic, biodegradable, and most importantly, locally available. In many traditional homes in Kerala for example, one can still see how rainwater collection systems work. They provide natural ventilation and locally sourced materials. It comes together beautifully, making a home sustainable and climate resilient.
From constructing a home, let’s go inside one such home. Waste as a concept didn’t really exist in ancient India. The idea of reduce, reuse and repurpose was prevalent in some shape or form, while it might not have been necessarily known that way. Food scraps were either composted or given to cattle and leaves were used as plates. This not only helped reduce waste, but also encouraged individuals to use resources that were locally available.
Shopping bags meant cloth bags and baskets. Leftover fabrics would be turned into cleaning rags or repurposed into quilts or blankets.
India boasts of rich textiles crafted intricately, showcasing vibrant colours and textures. Our traditional textile techniques such as block printing, Ikkat, Kalamkari and Bandhani work, use natural dyes and are eco friendly by design. These practices have passed down generations, highlighting the country’s rich textile heritage.
These various facets display how sustainability is woven seamlessly into the fabric of India. As the world grapples with the complexity of climate change and suitable solutions, perhaps, looking back at these practices, can be lessons for a more sustainable future ahead.