Concern for conservation

With its emphasis on ecology and nature the Zoroastrian religion expects us to be "kind to all on our planet. Ahura Mazda has infused his spirit in all seven creations. Conservation can be equated with the good spirit and work of Ahura Mazda whilst pollution, destruction and death is the work of Ahriman,” stated Aban Marker Kabraji who leads the Asia Regional Office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Bangkok. She was chairing the session on "The Zoroastrian Link to Nature and Conservation,” on the second day of the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress, December 28, 2013.
"The Zoroastrian philosophy of cosmic order and righteousness repeats itself through the Gathas,” pointed out Dr Erach Bharucha, former head of Department of Surgery, Bharati Vidya-peeth Medical College, who 20 years ago initiated the Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education and Research in Poona. He cited Yasna 19 which refers to sky and water as the creations of Ahura Mazda and Yasna 51-7 which warned of punishment to those who spoil the earth and blessings for those who look after it. Alluding to Zoroaster’s world as spanning from Azerbaijan, a cold, arid, desolate inhospitable region, to Bactria that is known for its fertile land, he observed, "This shows how adaptable we have been.”

He commended the foresight of Jamsetji Tata who conceived of a green township for the steel center of Jamshedpur and who brought clean energy to Bombay by harnessing the waters of the Valvan Dam in Lonavla. He named many Zoroastrian veterans who have been active in the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) like Dinsha Panday, Dilnavaz Variava, Pheroza Godrej, current president Homi Khusrokhan, Rishad Naoroji, Dr Boman Chhapgar, Dr Vispy Meher-Homji and Ashok Captain. Respected in the Worldwide Fund for Nature were the late Sohrab and Jamshyd Godrej, and in the Bombay Environment and Action Group were Cyrus Guzder, Farrokh and Statira Wadia. "Zoroastrianism has been an evolving religion,” he reminded in the context of its use of sandalwood from an endangered tree species or the need to support vultures through in situ (in their natural habitat) and ex situ (in specially designed enclosures) conservation.
"Conservationists face a perennial dilemma between conservation and development,” expressed Khusrokhan. Advocating "sensible conservation,” knowing that there are many power projects on the anvil, whether hydro or thermal, plus iron and coal mining projects, he felt the "growth of gross domestic product should not cause irreversible tragedy” to the environment. "We all know that there is a link between religion and environment but how many of us are actually doing something about it?” he asked rhetorically. "We are not activists; our work involves advocacy with the government,” Khusrokhan spoke on behalf of his colleagues who occupy leadership positions on different nature and environment organizations. As Zoroastrians we have to "be doers of good deeds as Ahura Mazda is to all creation, he quoted from a prayer.
"Zoroastrianism is the most ancient and most scientific religion, therefore it is known as the religion of nature. If we understand Zoroastrianism properly, we are in tune with nature,” believed Ervad (Dr) Rooyintan Peer, Avestan and Pahlavi scholar and former principal of the M. F. Cama Athornan Institute. In this universe created by Ahura Mazda there are amesha spentas presiding over spiritual elements and physical creations, said Peer and named some yazads or angels like Tishtriya controlling rain and drought. The gahanbars that signify the importance of the environment and nature are occasions for thanksgiving and celebrate the stages of evolution. "What is good, is Asha,” stated the priest. Cleanliness and purity are stressed in Zoroastrianism. "Cleanliness is Godliness” and reflects in the health of the community, he explained. Hair and nail that is cut is a form of putrefaction to be considered as nasu or druj just like a dead body. The Vendidad which is the Leviticus (third book in the Old Testament containing law and ritual precepts) of the Parsis covers each and every aspect and links it with science and hygiene. The book of Jamaspi written in Pahlavi in the ninth and 10th century had forewarned that disrespect to nature could result in vagaries of weather, unseasonal rains, hailstorms of red color like acid rain, winters and summers of greater severity, less fruit production, added Peer.
"Listen to the language of animals. Learn from them,” recommended Dr Percy Avari who informed the audience that for him, the "trigger to become a veterinarian was seeing Zarathushtra treat a horse in the film On Wings of Fire.” Having cured animals like bears as also birds like vultures, the young Zoroastrian expert on vultures revealed, "The love and respect I got from a vulture was incomparable.” As Zoroastrians we need "to respect not only fellow human beings but also plants and animals and all mother nature,” he urged. In his multiple roles, whether as assistant professor or when he is picking up gunny sacks and feeding animals, he has learnt "to look up to all actions. There is nothing demeaning in that.”
Resilience, he realized, has helped in the fight for survival and conservation. He cited the example of Lake Natron Project in Tanzania where Tata Chemicals was proposing a soda ash plant on its shores. The plant was originally planning to pump water from the lake and extract the sodium carbonate to convert it to washing powder for export. Accompanying the plant would have been housing for over 1,000 workers, and a coal-fired power station to provide energy for the plant complex. On learning that this region is the nesting site of the lesser flamingo, the Tatas have kept this project in abeyance. In fact, at Mithapur, Tata Chemicals was actively involved in a program to prevent the merciless killing of the visiting whale shark by local fishermen. Ultimately they brought in a local religious leader who convinced fishermen to view the fish not for its economic advantages but as their own daughter coming home to deliver her baby. According to Avari, seeing how thoughts lead to words and progress to actions, "Leadership is doing the right thing.”