Ecofeminism in India: Spiritual Frameworks, Cultural Connections, and Women’s Environmental Leadership

Abstract

Ecofeminism, emerging in the late 20th century, offers a critical lens to understand the intertwined oppression of women and the exploitation of nature, rooted in patriarchal and capitalist systems. While its theoretical foundations developed in global feminist discourse, in India, ecofeminism has evolved with distinctive cultural, ecological, and spiritual dimensions. The Indian conceptualization of ecofeminism draws from ancient traditions that regard the Earth as sacred and life-sustaining, reflected in scriptures, folk narratives, and community rituals. This worldview fosters an intrinsic women–nature connection, wherein women are seen not merely as resource users but as custodians of biodiversity, seed keepers, and protectors of local ecosystems. Central to this perspective are spiritual frameworks for environmental stewardship, where reverence for rivers, forests, and soil integrates ecological ethics into cultural practice. Such eco-spiritual values manifest in rituals, seasonal festivals, and sacred groves, embedding conservation within lived spirituality. Women’s agency in environmental movements in India—from the Chipko Andolan and Narmada Bachao Andolan to contemporary grassroots climate initiatives—illustrates how spiritual ecofeminism translates into activism, blending environmental justice with cultural resilience. This research emphasises women's leadership in ecological movements by exploring ecofeminism's historical origins, its Indian philosophical foundations, the symbolic and practical women–nature link, and spiritual ethics in environmental stewardship. It claims that India's ecofeminism is a living tradition that offers sustainable futures based on gender justice, cultural knowledge, and holy ecological consciousness.