Abstract:

The entire world is undergoing major ecological crisis not only due to Covid-19 pandemic but mostly due to social constructivist approach of environment. Social constructivist theory emphasize that individuals learn when they actively construct knowledge and understanding (Santrock, 2001). Since women have a close connection with nature and environment due to the social construction of femininity where they are portrayed as caregivers of family with soft, docile and nurturant ideals, their relation with Mother Earth is age-old. Historically, they have always been the major protectors of natural resources against any environmental destruction in order to draw a link between andro-centrism and environmental destruction. Women, all over the world have always been responsible for the conservation of resources for the families. They also lead the charge in terms of exploring the world’s water resources and even protection of forest resources in order to prevent it from deforestation. World Bank (1991) also highlighted the role of women in environmental conservation including their role in the management of natural resources like water, soil, forest and energy which has a profound impact on their everyday lives since women embody reservoir of traditional and contemporary knowledge about the natural environment surrounding them. Further, their role has also been emphasized in one of the sustainable development goals which include gender equality. It is against this backdrop that the present paper attempts to explore the role of Indian women in ecological sustainability. It also analyzes the contribution of women in five environmental movements of India along with the role of women environmental activists in ecological sustainability. Methodologically, content analysis has been used in order to explore the contribution of Indian women in different environmental movements of India as eco-feminists. The findings reveal that Indian women being close to nature has always played a significant role in different environmental movements of India like Bishnoi movement, Chipko movement, Appiko movement, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Navdanya movement where women environmental activists like Amrita Devi, Medha Patkar, Vandana Shiva and Radha Bhatt have contributed either as leaders or active participants of the movement. Presently, there are many environmental activists who have also helped in the conservation of their environment and preventing it from any kind of environmental degradation and ecological crisis caused by social constructivist approach such as deforestation and lumbering. However, the non-governmental organizations, environmental conservation agencies and the common man need to recognize and mobilize women to protect and enrich the natural resources for sustainable purpose. Thereby, since women are more close to nature, they are always able to understand the environmental issues and problems in a better way. It is due to this reason that is the need of the hour to consider including their views in implementing several policies and projects for a gender-inclusive environment.