Bhumi Project: Hindu groups address climate change
The Green Temple Bhumi Project
Thursday, 6 January 2011
The Bhumi Project, which helps to co-ordinate Hindu responses to ecological change, launched its India phase with a meeting in New Delhi on 4 January 2011.
The aim of the Bhumi Project in India is to facilitate Hindu groups in addressing environmental damage through activities such as endorsing ethically sourced food, waste recycling, and promotion of good environmental practice to their members.
Sudhir Garg, of Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust, explained “Indian tradition and culture is rich in good environmental practice. At a time when the world is looking for alternative solutions to environmental damage, there is much we can offer. This is an opportunity to show how our tradition can help with modern concerns and issues.”
Gopal-Lila Patel, Project Manager for the project commented, “We're not asking people to do anything new. We're simply encouraging them to re-learn the teachings of the past; to re-examine the principles and practices their forefathers lived by – whatever their religious background.”
Hindu leaders from Africa and America are planning to meet later this year.
The Bhumi Project is facilitated by the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS), in partnership with the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), and backing from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).