Environmental Concerns in Select Regional Novels Translated in English

Abstract

Literature has the ability to portray environmental issues in order to raise awareness and provide appropriate
solutions to these concerns. At present environmental concerns are manifested in the unprecedented
degradation of the planet's biodiversity so understanding the gravity and urgency of the deepening climate
crisis is all the more important. Indian literature sheds light on the life-altering dangers of natural disasters
even before ‘ecocriticism’ as genres became part of our literary pursuits explores these issues in its work and
seeks to speak out for environmental protection, which plays an important role in protecting the environment.
In addition to locating the natural world in literary works, environmentalists advocate change. This shift is
being driven by the environmental justice movement, questioning the role of privilege in shaping
environmental ideologies. In India, the dynamics of rapid industrialization and technological development
have given rise to a wave of environmental justice movements such as Chipko Movement, Apiko Movement,
Bishnoi Movement, Silent Valley protests and Narmada Bachao Andolan. Works surrounding themes of
environmental protection and the environment are mainstream. Popular authors such as Amitav Ghosh,
Ramachandra Guha and Vandana Shiva have made a noteworthy contribution through their influential
writings. India also has a rich history of regional environmental literature. Unfortunately, the regional poets
and writers remain relatively obscure. These novels are limited to the original language and are rarely
translated. The research article proposes a study of environmental issues in the selected regional language
novels translated into English The Upheavel by Pundalik Naik, Dweep by Na D'Souza , The Book of a Hunter
by Mahasweta Devi and Gift in Green by Sarah Joseph.