Religion and the environment

Down To Earth wishes its readers a very happy festival season. Many a  time, however, environment pays a big price for the religious  ceremonies. Whether it is immersing of idols in rivers during Durga Puja  or bursting of crackers during Diwali, contribution to environmental  degradation is immense. We take you through a journey of environmental  degradation, as well as protection, during the religious celebrations

	Will Bengal allow high decibel firecrackers? Activists fear noise control rules will be relaxed for manufacturers of firecrackers
	Pollution of Hinduisim How long can Hindus keep poisoning the Ganga and then take a dip in the same holy river to wash away their sins?
	Fast foods  A variety of delicacies that can make fasting delightful
	Protectors dubbed criminals  Tribals in Madhya Pradesh celebrate festival to reclaim forests; officials say they are encroaching land
	High Court allows sale of PoP Ganesh idols in Nagpur  They are to be immersed only in artificial tanks
	High court halts seizure of Ganesha idols by Nagpur civic agency  Municipal corporation rapped for delaying ban on plaster of Paris idols that pollute the city's water bodies
	Tamil Nadu's temple tanks hold key to water recharge  But authorities cement tank beds and fail to restore water inlet channels
	Holy smoke disinfects indoor air  Havan samagri --the mixture of aromatic medicinal herbs typically prescribed for Hindu rituals in a closed roomcan kill germs
	For heaven's sake! Following the belief that religion is the greatest force to drive changes in people, Australia's religious leaders are using it to build up a fight against climate change
	Faith any good?  Ecological degradation linked to the Judeo-Christian belief which regards humankind as distinct from the environment
	Where are the tapovans? The Chinese have recognised the potential of traditional knowledge and regard religious forests as an asset and an important tool for rehabilitation of degraded soil. Unfortunately in India, a similar revival is yet to happen
	New Religion The saffron-clad sadhus and former dacoits now find a ritual for social restructuring and acceptance: water harvesting. They are building "temples of water" instead of temples of stone
	Biodiversity eroded The greatest of ironies face traditional communities: as the use of their knowledge finds increasing use, human diversity is eroding at an accelerated pace
	Religion & environment If religions lend their strength to the cause of the environment, a lot would be achieved
	Saving Krishna's forests A unique experiment in conservation, which brings to attention the important role that India's religious traditions can play in protecting the environment
	Environment and the Middle Path Like all religions, Buddhism is eco-friendly. But lofty ideals rarely translate into pragmatism