Ecocentric Governance: Recognising the Rights of Nature

Abstract

Anthropocentric mode of consciousness has disturbed the internal cohesion and inter-relatedness of the natural world and is leading the world towards environmental devastation. Climate change is one of the biggest threats to humanity and is the face of this crisis. In view of this, the paper argues that we should make a shift towards ecocentric ways of thinking which look at nature in holistic terms and recognise the intrinsic value and rights of all the constituents of nature—rivers, mountains, plants and animals including human beings. Human existence is possible only when different constituents of nature interact with each other in a positive way. The paper argues that ecocentric awareness should be embedded in human governance system, law, education, culture and ethics, to save the world from environmental devastation.