Nature, Conservation, and Ecological Consciousness: An Ecocritical Study of the Fiction of Ruskin Bond

Abstract

This paper undertakes an ecocritical study of the fiction of Ruskin Bond, one of the most significant nature writers in Indian English literature, in order to demonstrate that his narratives constitute a sustained meditation on ecological consciousness, biodiversity, and environmental conservation. Drawing upon the theoretical framework of ecocriticism, the study examines Bond's representation of the Himalayan landscape, his depiction of forests, mountains, rivers, and wildlife, and the environmental philosophy that underlies his gentle and observational prose. The analysis argues that Bond adopts an ecocentric rather than an anthropocentric worldview, attributing intrinsic value to the non-human world and advocating harmonious coexistence between human communities and their natural surroundings. Through close reading of representative works, the paper shows that Bond conveys conservationist messages not through overt activism but through emotional engagement, vivid description, and the cultivation of affection for the living world. The study further considers the pedagogical dimension of Bond's writing, particularly his placement of children at the centre of ecological experience, and it situates his work within the broader concerns of Indian ecocriticism and the environmental humanities. The paper concludes that Bond is not merely an accomplished storyteller but a visionary environmental thinker whose fiction remains urgently relevant in an age of climate change and biodiversity loss.