Three-dimensional connectedness is the clinching factor

That a nation's close relationship or the lack of it with Nature can be a subject of study is somewhat surprising, especially when Western researchers embark on exploring nations' comparative connectedness to natural environment. To the oriental civilisations, particularly that of the Indian subcontinent, the concept is nothing new. Sages and hermits of ancient India usually lived in forests, developing a mutually beneficial relationship with flora and fauna. Deeply embedded in the religions that evolved thousands of years ago is the trio-beneficial concept of relations between or among human beings, between human beings and environment and between human beings and the almighty.

So when the research team from the United Kingdom and Austria led by Miles Richardson, a renowned professor of Nature connectedness at the University of Derby, develops a Nature-connectedness index to measure how close a nation is to Nature, it highlights the role of spirituality and religion. Religiousness and spirituality go into the making of a nation's psychology for a positive correlation with the natural environment. The deeper the religiousness and spirituality a nation professes, the greater is its connection with Nature.

So there is nothing to be surprised when Nepal known for its spirituality inherited from its religion beats all other nations to emerge as the top nation on the scale of Nature-connectedness. Nepal is followed by Iran, South Africa and Bangladesh. Iran's radicalism did not stand on the way of placing it to the second spot. The racial and cultural mix of South Africa, once known for apartheid, has of late made positive contributions to all areas of life including politics. But the country's collective efforts to preserve its pristine forests may have reflections on its ranking. But what earns Bangladesh its high ranking looks quite intriguing.

Here is a small country with an overwhelmingly large population. This country often makes news for the wrong reasons, so far as preservation of its natural resources is concerned. Muscle-flexing political elements plunder natural resources in order to make easy money. Its forests and hills have been denuded or encroached upon, rivers and water bodies narrowed by illegal occupation or totally obliterated. Yet Bangladesh's closeness to Nature has been recognised because the majority of people here have nothing to do with such outrageous acts against the natural environment. There may not be green activists like those in Germany, but there are some unlikely heroes who, despite their lack of formal education and training for preservation of Nature, have made greening of vacant spaces their life-long mission.

Then does the research paper published in the Ambio hint at the dichotomy between development and closeness to Nature? The fact that Spain, UK, Japan Germany and Canada wallow at the bottom section of the list is acknowledged by the economic policies and development paradigm they follow. Even the World Bank's "ease of doing business" metric stands accused in case of developing a bond with Nature. This is despite the existence of strong green parties in most of those countries.

Maybe, the legacy of ancient times survives well in oriental societies and the feeling of affinity for Nature comes naturally there. Modern and advanced societies do not have such a backup. Or, how can forest fires or wild fires become a recurring tragedy in Western countries including the US and Australia? They should have developed technologies and means to arrest such fires before those could take a heavy toll. When indigenous people in India wrap trees to prevent felling, this proves the intrinsic connection between Nature and people.

In fact, the three-dimensional connectedness between man and man, between man and environment and between man and the almighty creator defines human existence. No wonder, religion and spirituality received from their ancestors bring them closer to the natural world. Human beings are not at the centre of the universe here, they are on the planet because of their connection to natural environment and the Supreme Being. The life force connects all three in an inseparable relationship. A view of life marked by such relational indispensability is the guiding principle for the majority of people in countries clinching top slots in the Nature-connected list.