Hindus launch major plan for environmental change
17 July 2009

National Hindu leaders have pledged to work together to create major long-term plan for environmental protection and education with a project called 'Bhumi (Earth): Protecting the living planet - Hindu plans for generational change'. Ideas include a Hindu benchmark for a range of products and services, endorsement for ethically sourced food, and advocation of sustainable lifestyles. Hindu leaders stopped short of calling for global vegetarianism, but they are keen to change public perceptions of the cow (sacred to Hindus) as simply a source of food. The project Bhumi plans will be developed and implemented over the next decade.

Hindu leaders met on 16 July 2009 in Oxford as part of an international initiative led by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS) and backed by the United Nations Development Programme. Working with 11 world faiths, ARC is helping each to develop long-term plans for environmental protection.

Ranchor Prime, researcher on Hindu environmental issues explained, "Food has always been at the heart of the Hindu way of life. Now with food, and especially the environmental cost of meat, right at the top of the global climate change agenda, Hindus feel they have something to say. One of their key concerns is to change public perceptions of the cow as simply a source of food."

Facilitated by the OCHS, the meeting had over 20 representatives from various Hindu temples and organisations in the UK. This was the first time in history that UK Hindu leaders had come together to address issues concerning the environment on a common platform. With the support of ARC and the UN, the participants unanimously agreed to the initiative. They also pledged to work closely together, sharing knowledge and resources. This work will be done under the banner of "Bhumi (Earth): Protecting the living planet - Hindu plans for generational change".

India is one of three countries to determine the environmental future of the world

"There are over 300 Hindu temples and organisations in the UK." noted Shaunaka Rishi Das, Director of the OCHS "If they can work together to inspire their congregations to make changes, we can make a real contribution to the environmental goals of this country. This meeting was historical because the larger Hindu temples in the UK have agreed to work together as never before, which is very encouraging and a very good example."

As each temple now works to produce its 9 year plan, work is underway to bring onboard and link up with Hindu temples and organisations from America and India. Martin Palmer, Secretary General of ARC, commented "The ideas, commitment and willingness to work together seen here today is extraordinary and marks a major step forward for both the environment and Hinduism in this country. Our challenge now is to take this inspiring and practical model out from the UK to the USA and back to India itself. India is one of the three countries which will decide the environmental future of the world."

The creation of a 9 year plan that was agreed on today will specifically cover 7 key areas:

1. Assets: A look into current assets owned by temples and organizations and how best to manage them in an environmentally friendly manner.

2. Education: Inclusion of environmental matters alongside, or integrated with, education on Hindu beliefs and practices. Starting environmental projects in Hindu schools for young people to become actively involved in environmental issues.

3. Pastoral Care: Help make living environmentally friendly a part of the daily lives of Hindus.

4. Lifestyles: Look at how the Hindu faith as a whole can make environmentally friendly choices, for example, bulk buying bio-degradable cutlery for temples, cardbon-offsetting pilgrimages to India.

5. Media and Advocacy: Reach out to Government and other faiths, explaining what the Hindu faith is doing and asking them to support us. Promote environmental issues in Hindu media.

6. Partnerships and eco-twinning: Link with other groups who are also working on similar plans.

7. Celebration: Consciously recognise the role of nature in Hindu festivals. Raise awareness through a renewed appreciation in the natural beauty of the world.

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS), visit www.ochs.org.uk

For more information on the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), visit www.arcworld.org

For more information on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), visit www.undp.org