Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The thought of Ambedkar, explicitly or implicitly, has fascinating ecological dimensions. His ideas on the relationship between human beings and nature are useful to put equity at the centre stage of environmental discourse. Environmental problems and degradation for Ambedkar are not only because of over-exploitation of natural resources, but also due to iniquitous access of different social groups to the resource base. Particularly on the issue of access to drinking water to socially marginalized sections such as Dalits, Ambedkar reflected deeply in his intellectual and activist life. This article proposes that the ecological dimension of Ambedkar’s thought offers a theory of environmentalism from below which is useful to capture differential impact of environmental problems on socially marginalized sections in general and Dalits in particular.

Keywords

Environment equity Ambedkar Mahad Satyagraha Dalit water untouchability

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Abraham

(2002). Notes on Ambedkar’s water resource policies. Economic and Political Weekly, 37(48), 4772–4774.

Agarwal

(2013). Gender and green governance: The political economy of women presence within and beyond community forestry. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Gadgil

, & Guha

(1992). This fissure land: An ecological history of India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Gadgil

, & Guha

(1994). Ecological conflicts and environmental movement in India. Development and Change, 25(1994), 101–136.

Jeffrelot

(2006). Analysing and fighting caste: Dr. Ambedkar and untouchablity. New Delhi: Permanent Black.

Kohli

G.R.

(2007). History of science, technology and environmental movements in India. New Delhi: Surjeet.

Moon

(2014). Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar writings and speeches (Vol. 5). New Delhi: Dr. Ambedkar Foundation.

Rao

(2009). The caste question: Dalits and politics of modern India. London: University of California Press.

Ravikumar

V.M.

(2013). Inclusive environmentalism: A study of Jotiba Phule. Indian Journal of Dalit and Tribal Studies, 1(1), 84–91.

10.

Rodrigues

(2002). The essential writings of B.R. Ambedkar. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

11.

Sharma

(2012). Dalit and Indian environmental politics. Economic and Political Weekly, 47(23), 46–52.

12.

Shiva

, & Bondyopadhyay

(1985). Chipko: India’s response to the forest crisis. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

13.

Sivaramakrishnan

, & Agarwal

(2001). Social nature: Resources, representations, and rule in India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

14.

Thorat

(2006). Ambedkar’s role in planning and water policy. New Delhi: Shipra.

15.

Thorat

, & Kumar

(2008). B.R. Ambedkar: Perspectives on social exclusion and Inclusive Policies. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

16.

Weber

(1988). Hugging the trees: The story of Chipko Movement. London: Viking.

17.

Worster

(1977). Nature’s economy: A history of ecological ideas. London: Cambridge University Press.

18.

Zelliot

(2005). From untouchable to Dalit: Essays on Ambedkar movements. New Delhi: Manohar.

History of Indian Environmental Movement: A Study of Dr B.R. Ambedkar from the Perspective of Access to Water

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References