Conservation of Environment in the Sight of Sheikh Nur-Ud-Din Rishi(R.A)*
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ISSN: 2347-7474 International Journal Advances in Social Science and Humanities Available Online at: www.ijassh.com REVIEW ARTICLE Conservation of Environment in the Sight of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi(R.A)* Javid Ahmad Reshi1*, Dr. Ranjana Sharma2, Dr. Ajay Kumar Ghosh3 1Research Scholar, Dept. of History, Govt. Hamidia Arts & Commerce College, Bhopal (M.P.),India. 2 Assistant Professor Dept. of History Institute for Excellence in Higher Education Bhopal (M.P.),India. 3 Professor Dept. of History, Govt. Hamidia Arts & Commerce College, Bhopal (M.P.) ,India. *Corresponding Author: Javid Ahmad Reshi Abstract Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the natural environment at individual, national or global level. Due to overpopulation, consumption of natural resources is raising day by day resulting environmental degradation. The present study is an attempt to bring the limelight on the ecological perspective of the contribution of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi (R.A)* in wisely guiding our values and attitude towards the preservation of environment. He conveys in his message, that cultivation and supply of good material is essential for the existence of life which depends on plants for which forests play a great role. Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi (R.A) led to the compilation of an inventory of plant species with the broad objective for sustainable development. He emphasized mainly on the preservation of forest and the ways to overcome the environmental issues. He also gives message on moral and ethical grounds against damages or destruction of plants in general and herbal plants in particular. He has symbolically used these plants to convey some higher message of morality and eco-consciousness to the society. The conservation of plant species is of good significance, not only to provide useful insight into important floristic elements of that particular era, but also to rejuvenate the sense of species sacredness for their conservation. Which was the powerful and appealing tool of his thought for plant conservation would be of great significance. Keywords: Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi (R.A) Environment, Preservation, Harmony, Nature, Valley of Kashmir. *(R.A) Rahmatullah Alaih means Allah has blessing on him Introduction Forests play a significant role in the founder of ‘Rishi movement’ popularly called preservation of ecological balance and Sheikh-ul-Alam(R.A)Sheikh Nur-ud-Din environmental stability. The permanent Noorani (R.A), Alamdar-i-Kashmir(R.A), has left water supply including groundwater and an indelible mark on the culture and health of soils, primarily depend upon the thoughts of the people of Kashmir towards extent and quality of forest cover. Forests conservation of environment six centuries are a repository of biodiversity and the very ago before the present concept of ecological survival of mankind depends on presence of balance was born and the U. N. plans turned healthy forests. Kashmir has an important into hectic pains for maintaining the place in the ecological system concerning environmental balance and upholding the India with its forests, water resources, eco-system. cultural sites and mountains. People in Methodology Kashmir are looking forward to developing a beautiful Valley and a creative scientific The historical analytical method is used for society. They want to promote harmony with this paper and the data is secondary in nature and multicultural society as was the nature collected from related research dream of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi(R.A), the papers, books and internet sources etc. Javid Ahmad Reshi et. al.| March 2017| Vol.5|Issue 3|38-41 38 Available online at: www.ijassh.com advancement of science, what UNESCO has Objective said “partnership with nature” nature is not To study the role of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din to be exploited [3] Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi (R.A) (R.A) Rishi for the conservation of gave this concept before six centuries? environment. (R.A) Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi (R.A) as an Eco- Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi was Scientist multidimensional personality his value- based ecological practices and ethical The contribution of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din thoughts for the environment has assumed Rishi(R.A) is wisely guiding our morals and special significance in the contemporary attitude towards the environment. His crisis of global change. The valley of poetry do not simply share the common Kashmir is rich in natural heritage and traits; but he was an environmentalist, affluent diversity connected precisely with botanist and as well as mystic. His pithy cultural heritage through value-based saying, “Ann posh telih yelih wann posh” [1] traditional social fabric. However, erosion of (Food will last as long as forests last) is a our unique traditional heritage due to clear signal of his innate foresight and cultural invasion and depletion of intuitive knowledge. He was a conscious biodiversity due to biological invasions calls lover of Eco-System; spoke these words six for restoration of our value systems as well centuries ago even before the present as native diversity [4]. concept of ecological balance was born and the U. N. Plans turned into hectic efforts for Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi (R.A) while giving a maintaining the environmental balance and message, on moral and ethical grounds, upholding the eco-system. against damages to or destruction of plants in general and herbal plants in particular. Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi(R.A)gave concept For he is believed to have pointed out that regarding the values and benefits of forests plants are living things which are born, grow like as cooling of temperature by the green and die in due course. He says: ‘Let us avoid forestry and refreshes the air. Due to the harming plants in any way as far as forests the natural water cycle completes. possible. Let us not unnecessarily trample Forests help us to prevent soil erosion and over green grass. For, each plant has a rapid flow of rain water down the slopes. purpose in life and use for others [5]. Forests keep the atmosphere cool and thus, ensuring a regular supply of water. They Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi’s(R.A) main dish was also supply oxygen which is essential for life. the Dipsacus inermis commonly known in Kashmir valley by the name of Wupal-haak They also help in irrigation faculties, food the plant flowers in Kashmir usually production and other modern medical, between the months of June-August. The industrial and technological pursuits. species has been a favorite vegetable used by Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi(R.A)expressed in Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi(R.A) and his message, that essential commodities of life disciples and its luxurious growth in some are depend up on plants of which forests are regions of the valley is attributed to the a part. If the forest areas are denuded special prayers and blessings of this Rishi gushing rain waters would erode the slopes saint [6]. and soft areas. Much land would be lost and also food grain [2]. To bring attention towards the botanical insights of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi(R.A)with In the poetry of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi(R.A) the broad objective to begin the process of there is no verse which has not, ethical, recovery of our traditional wisdom for social, cultural, and prominently resumption of our organic relationship with topographical context. The ideas of harmony nature on sustainable sources. It is with nature and harmony among people in a necessary to mention that Sheikh Nur-ud- multi-cultural, multi-religious society are Din Rishi(R.A) has symbolically used plants to depicted in the poetry of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din convey some higher message of morality and Rishi (R.A). He was determined to mend the eco-consciousness. society from being worst to best. With the Javid Ahmad Reshi et. al.| March 2017| Vol.5|Issue 3|38-41 39 Available online at: www.ijassh.com In view of the great veneration and high practices and strict ascetic discipline was the esteem of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi(R.A) in the measure of their spiritual manhood [8]. hearts and minds of Kashmiri people, using the powerful and appealing tool of his Abu’l Fazal highly impressed by the species rediscovered from the inspiring unselfishness, non-violence, naturalist, poetry of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Rishi(R.A), is of broadmindedness, world liness, immense significance [7]. vegetarianism and celibacy of the Rishi’s which had earned them the most respectable The valley of Kashmir is so deep respectful position in the society. To quote Abu’l Fazl; of every blade grass not to speak of forests “The most respectable class in this country that we could see Kashmir as a sanctuary. (Kashmir) is that of the Rishi,s, who The Rishis concept of non-violence had a life- notwithstanding their need of freedom from affirming and universalistic value rather the bonds of tradition and custom are true than other worldly connotations. Islam as worshippers of God. They do not loosen the understood by them, sought to subject the tongue of calumny against those not of their way of life on this planet to the norms of faith, nor beg, nor importune. They employ morality and responsibility. Man therefore themselves in planting fruit trees and are had to regulate the pattern of human life in generally a source of benefit to the people. such a way as confirmed the truth of the They abstain from flesh meat and do not Islamic dictum; ‘Religion is indeed man’s marry. There are about two thousands of treatment of his fellows’. these classes”[9]. Thus the Rishis dislike to causing injury to The Rishi movement founded by Sheikh animate beings, including even plants , Nur-ud-Din Rishi(R.A) specially emphasized insects and animals dissuading hunters from on the welfare of the Kashmiri society hunting deer (hangul) the prized possession through various manners specially planting of the valley’s forests, personal care of pets fruit, and shady trees, on the road sides and tamed animals and birds planting trees fields, for the benefit of the common people throughout the length and breadth of irrespective of any worldly greed etc [10].