UPSC Essay Paper 2024

SECTION-A

Forests Precede Civilizations and Deserts Follow Them.

Approach of the Essay

• Quote: “Forests precede civilizations, deserts follow them” implies that civilizations begin by thriving in nature but often end by destroying it.
• Thesis: Civilizations historically grow by exploiting natural resources, but unchecked exploitation leads to ecological collapse and desertification.
• Key Themes:
  • Historical examples: Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, Egypt.
  • Contemporary issues: Deforestation, desertification (Amazon, Aravallis, Thar).
  • Policies and governance: Forest Act 2023, global climate goals.
  • Indian ethos: Vedas, Chipko Movement, Gandhian philosophy.
  • Global models: Loess Plateau, Ethiopia, China’s afforestation.
  • Urbanization and environment: Bengaluru water crisis, heat islands.
  • Sustainable way forward: “LiFE” campaign, agroforestry, ecological urban planning.
• Conclusion: Civilization must evolve towards environmental harmony, or risk collapse.

The aphorism “Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them,” attributed to French diplomat François-René de Chateaubriand, is both a poetic and prophetic observation about the trajectory of human progress. At its core, the quote underscores the paradox of civilization: while human societies grow and flourish, their very expansion often precipitates environmental degradation. As we traverse the Anthropocene era, this sentiment becomes alarmingly relevant. Today, environmental crises—ranging from deforestation and desertification to climate change—underscore the need to reassess our developmental paradigms.

The Historical Arc: From Forests to Civilizations to Deserts

Civilizations have historically blossomed amidst the abundance of nature. The Indus Valley Civilization thrived along riverbanks; Mesopotamia flourished between the Tigris and Euphrates; and ancient Egyptian civilization emerged from the fertility of the Nile. These early societies were deeply intertwined with natural ecosystems, relying on forests for food, timber, medicine, and climate regulation.

However, the very success of these civilizations began to strain ecological systems. Forests were cleared for agriculture, urban settlements, and trade. In Mesopotamia, over-irrigation and deforestation led to salinization and reduced agricultural productivity. Scholars argue that such ecological mismanagement contributed to the fall of once-thriving societies. The Sahara itself, once green and fertile, underwent desertification thousands of years ago, a phenomenon partially accelerated by human activities.

As Mahatma Gandhi wisely noted, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” Civilizations, in their quest for growth, often transcend the fine balance between development and sustainability.

Modern-Day Parallels: Deforestation and Desertification

In the 21st century, the quote echoes louder than ever. The Amazon Rainforest—referred to as the “lungs of the Earth”—is under severe threat due to illegal logging, mining, and agriculture. Satellite data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) reveals record levels of deforestation, particularly under politically permissive regimes. The transformation of dense forest into farmland or pasture leads not only to biodiversity loss but also to a drastic reduction in carbon sequestration capacities.

Similarly, in India, the Aravalli range—once a green barrier against desertification—is being degraded due to illegal mining and encroachments. This has accelerated the westward march of the Thar Desert. According to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India (2021), nearly 30% of India’s land area is undergoing degradation, posing a serious threat to agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods.

Climate change acts as a multiplier. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events—worsened by deforestation—exacerbate desertification. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) warns that over 75% of Earth’s land is already degraded, directly impacting 3.2 billion people.

Policy and Governance: A Double-Edged Sword

Developmental policies often become instruments of ecological disruption. The expansion of highways, industrial corridors, and urban sprawls, though necessary for economic growth, frequently come at the cost of green cover. The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 in India has drawn criticism for potentially easing forest land diversion, especially in sensitive areas like the Northeast and tribal belts.

On the global stage, despite pledges like the Paris Agreement, deforestation continues unabated. The COP26 summit saw over 100 countries commit to ending deforestation by 2030. However, experts argue that such promises require robust monitoring and legal enforcement. Without accountability, they remain aspirational.

The tension between ecological preservation and economic growth reflects the Gandhian dilemma of “antyodaya” (upliftment of the last person) versus “prithvi raksha” (protection of the Earth). Balancing these priorities is the foremost challenge for modern states.

Ecological Wisdom in Culture and Religion

Ancient Indian traditions embody a deep respect for forests and nature. Texts like the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda extol the sanctity of trees and rivers. The concept of Van Mahotsav (Forest Festival) and the tradition of sacred groves (devrais) illustrate this ethos. The Chipko Movement of the 1970s, led by rural women in Uttarakhand, was a remarkable instance of grassroots ecological activism.

Sunderlal Bahuguna, the movement’s leader, proclaimed, “Ecology is the permanent economy.” This phrase captures the essence of sustainable development: that long-term prosperity depends on environmental stewardship.

Technological Interventions and Sustainable Models

While the historical trend may suggest forests fall and deserts rise with civilizations, this trajectory is not irreversible. The Loess Plateau in China, once barren and degraded, has been transformed through large-scale reforestation and soil conservation techniques. Ethiopia’s “Green Legacy” campaign has planted over 4 billion trees in recent years.

In India, the concept of agroforestry—integrating trees into agricultural landscapes—has proven effective in enhancing soil fertility, improving microclimates, and boosting farmers’ income. The National Afforestation Programme and the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation) fund are steps in the right direction, though implementation often falls short due to corruption and mismanagement.

India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, which emphasized “LiFE” (Lifestyle for Environment), aims to foster sustainable habits. Such global leadership is essential to align development with ecological well-being.

Urbanization and the Ecology of Neglect

Modern urbanization has largely been a story of ecological neglect. Cities expand by consuming forests and wetlands, replacing green with grey. Urban heat islands, air pollution, and water crises are direct consequences. Bengaluru, once the city of lakes, faces severe water shortages due to vanishing wetlands and rampant real estate growth.

The World Bank’s “Changing Wealth of Nations” report (2021) highlights that natural capital depletion is outpacing economic gains in many developing countries. Unless cities incorporate sustainability at their core through green belts, urban forests, and sustainable architecture—they will remain vulnerable to the twin crises of climate and livability.

Conclusion: Reimagining Civilization

The proverb that “Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them” is not merely a historical observation but a cautionary tale. It invites introspection into the values that underpin modern development. Do we seek growth at any cost, or are we willing to reimagine civilization as one that coexists with nature?

As author Jared Diamond warns in Collapse, societies that fail to recognize environmental limits eventually perish. Yet, we are not without hope. With conscious policies, community participation, and a return to ecological wisdom, humanity can reverse the march toward desertification.

To quote Rabindranath Tagore: “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.” The future of civilizations depends not just on technological prowess but on ecological harmony.

If forests once preceded us and deserts may follow, let us choose to walk back into the forest—not to abandon civilization, but to civilize it.