ECO-CRITICISM AND CLIMATE CHANGE: ANALYSING REPRESENTATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN CONTEMPORARY SOUTH ASIAN LITERATURE

Abstract

In this paper, the author focuses on the ecological in South Asian literature in modern literature concerning environmental degradation and the climate change issue through the eco-critical prism. This paper focuses on four major works, specifically The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid and Latitudes of Longing by Shubhangi Swarup, to evaluate how each of the writings portrays, as well as critiques ecological crises, especially as it concerns the marginalised communities. Through eco-critical ideas like slow violence and environmental justice, the paper will emphasise the fact that literature not only represents environmental effects of climate change, but it also emphasises the socio-political aspects of these problems. The discussion shows that the surroundings in these novels are not just mere spectators but key participants in the life of humans and have profound effects on cultural identity, social inequality, and political tussles. The research will help to prove the role of modern South Asian literature in the discussion of climate change, make readers rethink their relations with nature and the socio-political system that remains in place and promote environmental degradation.