Ecofeminism: A Tale Of Shakti And Shiv In The Battle For Climate Justice — Opinion
In the grand cosmic dance of existence, where Shiv, the ascetic, meditates in stillness, and Shakti, the ever-moving force of creation, surges forward, a tale unfolds — one of ecofeminism, empowerment, and our dharma towards Mother Earth.
Once upon a Rig Vedic verse, the sages sang of Prithvi Mata, the Earth Goddess, nourishing all beings without discrimination. Yet, as time churned its cosmic wheel, humankind, in its folly, sought dominion over both nature and women forgetting that creation thrives only when Shiv and Shakti are in balance. Thus emerged a flawed binary: man vs. woman, human vs. nature, development vs. preservation. Much like the daanavas (demons) attempting to overpower the devas (gods), hierarchical systems arose, fuelling oppression, destruction, and a planetary crisis that not even the most potent yagna (sacrifice) could reverse.
Enter Ecofeminism: The Roar of the Divine Feminine
The ecofeminist movement, much like the Devi Durga riding into battle against Mahishasura, challenged the rigid structures of patriarchy and environmental exploitation. It proclaimed that just as nature has been pillaged, so too have women been subjugated under systems that value power over harmony. It was a call to rekindle the fires of the Mandukya Upanishad’s wisdom the realization that all life is interconnected, and that moksha (liberation) lies in unity, not division.
Yet, as with every great dharmic battle, ecofeminism found its Kurukshetra. Critics dismissed it as essentialist, arguing that it focused too much on gender without considering class, caste, and race. However, modern ecofeminism has evolved, recognising that gender justice cannot be separated from economic, racial, and environmental justice. Intersectional ecofeminism now addresses these gaps, emphasising that climate solutions must account for the most vulnerable be it women, indigenous communities, or economically marginalised groups.
ALSO READ ON ABP LIVE | Extreme Weather Events Have Cost India $180Bn Since 1993, Report On Climate Change Says
Shakti Rising: Women At The Heart Of Climate Action
But the Devi does not rest. Across villages, boardrooms, and policy chambers, the divine feminine rises anew. Data tells us that when women lead, sustainability follows. Like the revered Saptarishis (seven sages), female legislators have been torchbearers of stronger climate policies, guardians of forests, and champions of clean energy. The agricultural gender gap, a modern-day Lakshman Rekha, keeps women from land ownership and decision-making, yet where they are empowered, crop yields rise, hunger falls, and deforestation slows.
Consider the tribal women of India, our modern-day Van Devis (forest goddesses), who have long practised community-led conservation. From the Chipko Movement to female-led reforestation projects, their stewardship mirrors Aranyani, the Vedic goddess of forests, who protects the trees with quiet resilience. Similar movements can be found globally from the Green Belt Movement led by Wangari Maathai in Kenya to the ecofeminist leadership of Indigenous women in the Amazon rainforest, proving that the connection between women and environmental stewardship transcends cultures and geographies.
A Cosmic Duty: Rebalancing Shiv And Shakti
If we are to achieve our climate goals, we must invoke the wisdom of our ancients. Shiv without Shakti is mere stillness, and development without sustainability is mere destruction. Women’s education, healthcare access, and leadership must become central to climate action, not as an afterthought but as a strategic imperative. A nation where every girl has the power of Saraswati’s knowledge, Durga’s strength, and Lakshmi’s resources is a nation that can achieve true sustainability.
The battle is far from over, but as Krishna assured Arjuna: "Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati Bharata..." — whenever there is a decline in righteousness, the forces of balance shall rise. Ecofeminism, though bruised by critique, remains a guiding shastra for our times. The feminine force, much like the Devi herself, will return stronger, fiercer, and ready to reclaim its rightful place in the cosmic order of sustainability.
ALSO READ ON ABP LIVE | Earth Could Face Extreme Heat, Volcano Eruptions, and Destruction in 250 Million Years, Warn Scientists
Answering the Call: What Can We Do?
The only question that remains is will we answer the call? Our response must be proactive. Governments must implement gender-sensitive climate policies, corporations must prioritise women’s leadership in sustainability, and individuals must support grassroots ecofeminist movements. Just as a yagna requires the collective effort of many, so too does the restoration of balance between Shiv and Shakti. It is not just a battle it is our shared dharma.
Dr. Shruti Sharma is an Associate Professor at TERI-SAS and a leading expert in sustainability, innovation, and environmental governance.
[Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP Network Pvt. Ltd.]
Trending News
