Ecological Justice: An Ecocritical Study of The Hungry Tide

Abstract

The research examines the idea of ecological justice in Amitav Ghosh's The Hungry Tide based on the theoretical framework of ecocriticism. Nature, portrayed as an active ecological force, uncovers the social and political inequalities inherent in environmental policies. The methodology used is qualitative one involving textual analysis and close reading of the novel with secondary sources of scholarly materials related to ecocriticism and ecological justice. The research explores interconnections between nature, human survival and political power in the Sundarbans as depicted in the novel, bringing into focus the contradiction between conservation of nature and the problems faced by the marginalized communities such as Morichjhapi, human-animal conflict, and the conflict between indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge. The study concludes that ecological justice can be achieved through a balanced approach and one that is inclusive, taking into account both ecological sustainability and the rights of vulnerable human communities.