Dedicated to the national reconstruction, Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is celebrating its centenary in the year 2025. Due to its ideological moorings, management structure, and selfless service, the RSS is a formidable organization not only in Bharat but all over the world.
Due to certain subversive forces both external and internal, which are opposed to an inclusive, strong, prosperous and developed Bharat, a media narrative maligning the organization is often, created especially, in the western media. The best part the story is harder the spring is pressed, stronger is the recoil action of RSS.
Bharat’s partition on the religious lines was an outcome of the divide and rule policy of Britishers. Unfortunately, there was hardly any difference in the colonial mindset and approach adopted by subsequent governments in independent Bharat. These regimes continued to fragment the social fabric in the form of various castes, communities and linguistic groups. In the garb of welfare measures, appeasement policies weakened the efforts of nation building.
Religious leadership in certain communities continue to indoctrinate gullible population converting them into an extremist/fundamentalist ideology. By proclaiming their religion being above the nation, and refusal to live in peaceful coexistence, their loyalty becomes questionable. Ironically, no public resentment against such dictates is expressed either by their intelligentsia, or by political leadership, or by common people.
In the said background and in order to accelerate the national re-construction, the RSS had come out with panch prans (five promises) to transform the Bharatiya society. The five points of the social transformation program are: Samajik Samarasta (Social Harmony), Kutumb Prabodhan (Family Awakening), Paryavaran Suraksha (Environmental conservation), insistence on Swadeshi Acharan (Selfhood) and Nagrik Kartavya Palan (Civic Responsibility).
In this article, a few issues and cross cutting ideas are discussed related to Paryavaran Suraksha. Importance given to the nature in ancient Bharat, current environmental challenges, and the future course of actions to be taken for environmental conservation is discussed in the nut shell.
Let us start with ‘What is the Environment’? In its broadest sense, environment is that what surrounds us and helps in survival of every life form, either directly or indirectly, on this Earth.
Another categorization of environment can be made in terms of biotic (Humans, Birds and Animals, Plants and Trees, and Microbes) and abiotic components (Physical Elements, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Earth, Sunlight and Space). All these components are connected in a complex “web of life” and mutually affect each other.
It would be appropriate to say that ‘Life on the Earth’ is supported by Bhagavan. In other words, Panch Tatvas (Bh+Ag+V+A+N) where ‘Bh’ Bhumi, ‘Ag’ Agni, ‘V’ Vayu, ‘A’ Akash, and ‘N’ Neeru/water on the substratum of universal consciousness had constituted this world.
Environment is very important for our survival and sustenance. It provides us with our necessary requirements of natural resources – Food, Air and Water. A pure environment also enhances the quality of life. it has intrinsic capability to absorb various pollutants and to recycle them. Depending on its area of impact, environmental issues can be further classified as global and local issues.
Conservation in ancient Bharat
Environmental conservation is imbibed in Bharatiya ethos since time immemorial. Nature is considered as sacred. Historically conservation of Nature and Wild life is reflected in day-to-day life, myths, folklore, religion, art and culture of the Bharatiya Society.
Twenty-three centuries ago, emperor Ashoka proclaimed it to be duty of the king to protect wild life, trees and forests. He got edicts inscribed on rocks and iron pillars all over his kingdom prohibiting the destruction of forests and killing of various species of animals. This historic evidence surviving even today, is the first recorded measure on conservation anywhere in the world.
Some of the fundamental principles of ecology – interrelationship and interdependence of all life – were conceptualized in the Bharatiya ethos and reflected in our ancient scripture Ishopanishad, which says, “this universe is the creation of the Supreme Power meant for the benefit of all his creation. Each individual life form, must, therefore learn to enjoy its benefits by forming a part of the system in close relation with other species. Let not any species encroach upon the other’s rights”.
Our past can inspire us even today. On November 24, 2025 Prime Minister performing ‘Dhwaja Rohan Samaaroh’ at Shri Ram Temple, Ayodhya highlighted the importance of Kovidara tree on the flag. It is a hybrid of Mandara and Parijat Trees created by Rishi Kashyap, the first biotechnologist, that symbioses ancient knowledge and the continuity of our sacred traditions.
Environmental Challenges faced by Bharat
Bharat is currently facing numerous environmental challenges namely air and water pollution, land degradation, deteriorating conservation zones and diminishing biological diversity. During the last few decades global circumstances has forced Bharat into a situation where it is becoming increasingly difficult to practice a life style that does not push the planet Earth towards doom.
Duly sensitized, legislative, judicial, and executive framework of Bharat combined with a responsive citizenry can produce a practicable environmental culture. In constitutional terms too, Bharat has sufficient guarantees to protects its ecological systems.
The Way Forward
It is imperative that environmental consciousness becomes a preoccupation with our people as no amount of governmental invention can reverse ecological downfall. Paryavaran Suraksha Pran (Environmental conservation), can be the vehicle for awakening environmental consciousness among the people of the country.
Till recently Bharat had been copying western models for environmental conservation. Now time has come that we should design and develop our own mitigation and adaptation measures for environmental conservation be it water conservation, waste management, public transport and air pollution.
It is also important that all the three arms of government namely Legislature, judiciary and executive evolve a consistent system by relooking at their procedures and processes. Media should also chart out its role in propagating positive messages for conservation of environment.
Positive and negative environmental externalities should be taken into consideration in the fiscal management at all levels in the country. As an example, the States and Union Territories, which have forests (cover and density) above the national average should be financially rewarded; and the benefits should reach out to the forest dwellers.
Currently, our wild life conservation Act discourages involvement of private sector in conservation activities. By suitably amending the wild life conservation act private initiatives like ‘Vantara’ (a private initiative for a large-scale wild life rescue, rehabilitation and conservation center located at Jamnagar) at different scales could be taken up in the country. Similarly, the wild life conservation Act prohibits ex-situ conservation of wild life in Bharat. There is a need to relook at our conservation acts and to make them relevant with the current trends.
Among several initiatives being developed by startups, one indigenous system of waste management is worth mentioning.
“Born in Bharat. Proudly Swadeshi. A movement where Innovation meets Sustainability, and Waste Management meets World-class Manufacturing. Sustainability on Wheels is India’s homegrown breakthrough — a fully Swadeshi, Made-in-Bharat innovation designed to transform how communities manage waste and protect the environment. It brings advanced waste processing, recycling, resource recovery, and green engineering onto a single mobile platform, built entirely through indigenous manufacturing excellence.
This is the new face of Bharat:
• Innovation rooted in our land
• Sustainable solutions for our people
• Efficient waste management for cleaner cities and villages
• Manufacturing that strengthens.
Atmanirbhar Bharat From plastic to textiles, from organic waste to recyclables, Sustainability on Wheels offers a modern, scalable, and Swadeshi answer to some of our biggest environmental challenges. It is not just a machine — it is a symbol of India’s rising capability. A commitment to protect our environment. A promise to make sustainability accessible to every household. A vision that blends technology, ecology, and manufacturing strength. Sustainability on Wheels — Born in Bharat, Swadeshi in spirit, driven by innovation, powered by sustainable manufacturing, and dedicated to building a cleaner, greener future.”
To sum up, the five-point social transformational agenda of RSS is very relevant and Bharatiya society will certainly, rise up to the occasion.
