Abstract
The escalating environmental crisis of the twenty-first century, characterized by climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, water scarcity, and ecological degradation, has exposed the limitations of anthropocentric models of development and renewed interest in ethical frameworks that promote sustainable human–nature relationships. This paper examines the relevance of the Indian philosophical concept of dharma and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as complementary foundations for environmental ethics and sustainable development. It argues that dharma, understood as moral duty, cosmic order, and harmonious coexistence, provides an ethical framework that extends environmental responsibility beyond legal and economic considerations. Likewise, TEK, developed through generations of close interaction with local ecosystems, preserves practical knowledge of biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, water management, and community-based natural resource governance. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach that integrates environmental ethics, Indian philosophy, and sustainability studies, the paper explores ecological insights found in the Vedas, Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, Buddhist and Jain philosophies, and indigenous traditions. These philosophical and cultural traditions collectively advance an ecocentric worldview that recognizes the intrinsic value of all living beings and emphasizes ecological balance, restraint, and interdependence. The paper further evaluates the contemporary significance of these traditions in addressing global sustainability challenges, including climate resilience, ecological justice, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. While recognizing the limitations of idealizing traditional knowledge, it argues that integrating indigenous ecological wisdom with modern scientific approaches can foster more inclusive, culturally grounded, and ethically informed models of environmental governance. The study concludes that the movement from dharma to sustainability represents a continuity of ethical commitments that prioritize ecological harmony, intergenerational justice, and the well-being of both human and non-human communities, offering a holistic philosophical framework for sustainable development in an era of ecological uncertainty.