Women Environmentalists in India: A Study of Living and Legacy Voices of Ecological Resistance

Abstract

This research is aimed at studying the contributions of Gandhian women environmentalists in India through evaluating both contemporary and historic women who have contributed to the fight for the environment and for social transformation. The research will use secondary sources to analyze how different generations of women environmentalists have demonstrated and applied basic principles of Gandhism, including the principle of ahimsa (non-violence), the principle of sarvodaya (welfare of all), as well as trusteeship. Such prominent representatives of women's environmental activists as Vandana Shiva, Medha Patkar, and Sunita Narain will be compared to legacy Gandhian women environmentalists, such as Gaura Devi and Sugathakumari. Thus, a comparative analysis of such women in environmental activism will show how the concepts of Gandhian environmental philosophy are alive among them, and what are the differences in the methods of women activists. Based on the analysis and discussion, the conclusion will be made regarding the continuity of Gandhian environmental philosophy in women's activism.

Keywords