“Exploring Ecocriticism In The Works Of Selected Indian English Authors”

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive study of ecocriticism in Indian English novels, focusing on themes such as environmental degradation, the relationship between humans and nature, and the role of nature as a significant character or agent of change. Drawing on selected texts from prominent Indian English writers like Ruskin Bond, Amitav Ghosh, and Kamala Markandaya, it explores how these authors envision the landscape in their works. The study reveals that through vivid depictions of deteriorating environments and damaged ecosystems, the writers reflect the ongoing environmental crisis. The research highlights the crucial role of literature in fostering eco-consciousness and contributing to sustainability discourses while emphasizing the urgent need for cultural responses to environmental challenges. It traces the historical interplay between humanity and nature, examining how Indian authors address ecological issues in the context of rampant urbanization, increasing pollution, and climate change. This article provides a theoretical framework for reading these texts as eco-fiction, exploring their implications for natural worldviews against anthropocentrism, the collective dimensions of environmental issues, and feminist perspectives on nature. Situated at the intersection of literary studies and environmental humanities, this innovative methodology interrogates how literature can mainstream sustainability and eco-ethics in India.