ECO-CRITICISM IN ENGLISH LITERATURE AND ISSUES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:-A STUDY IN NEXUS

Abstract:- This is a descriptive and theoretical research paper dealing with the issues of ecology and sustainable development reflected in English literature. Qualitative research approach is used to ponder over the topic of nature writing and its projection. Environmental problems are multifaceted and it appears in literary discourses as well. Besides government, language and literature also play a vital role in creating awareness and reflecting environmental crisis throughout literary discourses. Since olden times, ecological factors and sustainable development concerns are depicted in literature. English language and literature play a cardinal role in education as well. Eco-criticism or green studies are the field where the writers introspect on the different aspects of ecology and sustainable development. Ecocriticism investigates the relation between humans and the natural world in literature. It deals with how environmental issues, cultural issues concerning the environment and attitudes towards nature are presented and analyzed. One of the main goals in ecocriticism is to study how individuals in society behave and react in relation to nature and ecological aspects. Eco-criticism is an application of ecology and ecological concepts to the study of literature. Literature advocates to ‘Save the Earth’ from human encroachment. The area of eco-criticism consists of fiction, non-fiction, travel writing, memoirs, regional literature, political documents, global warming agendas etc. Ecocritics suggest possible solutions for the correction of the contemporary environmental issues, sustainable development and examine how literature treats the subject of nature in various ways