Nature, Ecology, and Human Relationships in the Works of Ruskin Bond: A Study of Environmental Consciousness in Contemporary Indian Literature

Abstract

Ruskin Bond, one of India's most celebrated contemporary authors, has contributed significantly to the environmental discourse in Indian literature through his evocative depictions of nature and human interactions with the environment. His work, characterized by its deep connection to the natural world, offers readers both a nostalgic vision of nature and a critical reflection on the environmental degradation occurring in India. This paper examines how Bond’s writing explores the intimate relationship between humans and nature, as well as the tension between development and environmental preservation. By analyzing his novels, short stories, and essays, the study reveals how Bond’s environmental consciousness is woven into his portrayal of landscapes, indigenous knowledge, and the looming threats of modernization. The paper argues that Bond’s works not only celebrate the beauty and vitality of nature but also call for a more harmonious and sustainable coexistence between humans and the environment.