Interrelations between Indian Knowledge System (IKS) and Environmental Law
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32628/IJSRST251306Abstract
The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) offers a rich repository of traditional practices and philosophical principles that are deeply intertwined with environmental conservation and sustainable living. While modern environmental law has evolved significantly, there's a growing recognition of the wisdom embedded in IKS and its potential to inform contemporary environmental governance mechanism. The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) offers a profoundly relevant and valuable perspective on environmental law in the present context. While modern environmental law often operates within a framework of regulations, penalties, and scientific data, IKS provides a deeper philosophical and ethical foundation that emphasizes harmony with nature, interconnectedness, and a sense of responsibility. This holistic approach can complement and strengthen contemporary environmental legal frameworks, moving beyond mere compliance to foster genuine ecological stewardship. This article is an attempt to highlight the relation between IKS and the Environmental laws. IKS was wholly based on the natural philosophy. Man being a part of nature has to obey the natural rules and orders. Natural law theory propounded by Roman jurists like Socrates, Aristotle, Thomas Acquinas, and later on by John Rawls, and others believed that the human beings owe to the nature.
📊 Article Downloads
References
Basham, A. L. The Wonder That Was India. Picador, 2004.
Singh, Nagendra. India and International Law: Ancient and Modern. S. Chand & Co., 1969.
"Environmental ethics in Indian thought: Ancient answers to modern environmental challenges." International Journal of Research in History, Political Science and International Relations, Vol. 7, Issue 5, 2025. Available at: https://www.historyjournal.net/article/430/7-5-1-488.pdf
"Indian Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Practices: A Pathway to Ecological Balance and Environmental Sustainability." The Academic is an International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol.26 2, Issue 3, 2025. Available at: https://theacademic.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/113.pdf
"Indian Knowledge System and Sustainable Development: Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Modern Sustainable Development Goals." Journal of Global Resources, 2025. Available at: https://isdesr.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/6.-M-M-Sheikh.pdf
"Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in the Context of Developing Economies." ResearchGate, February 25, 2025. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389273457_Indian_Knowledge_Systems_and_Achievement_of_Sustainable_Development_Goals_in_the_Context_of_Developing_Economies
"Leveraging Indigenous Knowledge for Effective Environmental Governance in West Africa." Scientific Research Publishing (SCIRP). Available at: https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=121949 (Though focused on West Africa, offers relevant general principles of TEK applicability).
"Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Climate Change." UNESCO. Available at: https://www.unesco.org/en/climate-change/links (While not specific to India, highlights the global relevance of IKS/TEK).
"A Reinterpretation of Hindu Spirituality for Addressing Environmental Problems."27 ResearchGate, May 19, 2021. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351679457_A_Reinterpretation_of_Hindu_Spirituality_for_Addressing_Environmental_Problems
"View of Environmental Protection in Ancient Indian Religion System." Ignited Minds Journals, Vol. 3, Issue 1, 2024. Available at: https://ignited.in/index.php/jasrae/article/view/10622/21048
"Ancient and Medieval India's Environmental Protection Traditions." Disaster.Shiksha. Available at: https://disaster.shiksha/occupational-health-safety-management/ancient-medieval-india-environmental-protection/
"Environmental Wisdom | PDF | Ahimsa | Vedas." Scribd. Available at: https://www.scribd.com/document/36056390/Environmental-Wisdom
"English translation of Prime Minister's remarks at the G20 Summit Session 1." Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Available at: https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/37083/English_translation_of__Prime_Ministers_remarks_at_the_G20_Summit_Session_1
"Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Sustainable Development.pptx." SlideShare, January 19, 2025. Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/indian-knowledge-systems-iks-and-sustainable-development-pptx/274967759
"Indian Knowledge Systems." IKS India (AICTE portal).28 Available at: https://iksindia.org/
"PRINCIPLES GOVERNING ENVIRONMENTAL LAW!" Knowledgesteez, February 20, 2024. Available at: https://knowledgesteez.com/2024/02/principles-governing-environmental-law/
"Traditional ecological knowledge." Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_ecological_knowledge
"Unit 6 IKS Life, Environment and Health | PDF | Botany | Agriculture."29 Scribd. Available at: https://www.scribd.com/document/849841031/Unit-6-IKS-Life-Environment-and-Health
"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: Path to a Harmonious Interconnected World." Global Peace Foundation. Available at: https://globalpeace.org/vasudhaiva-kutumbakam-path-to-a-harmonious-interconnected-world/
"Vedic Averments for Cosmic Environmental Tranquility." India Foundation, January 3, 2022. Available at: https://indiafoundation.in/articles-and-commentaries/vedic-averments-for-cosmic-environmental-tranquility/
"Vedic Wisdom for a Sustainable Environment: Harmonising Nature and Spirituality." Organiser.org, June 5, 2025. Available at: https://organiser.org/2025/06/05/295528/bharat/vedic-wisdom-for-a-sustainable-environment-harmonising-nature-and-spirituality/
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
