Author: Rony Bhowal
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/PP/020400040
Abstract: Ruskin Bond’s literary oeuvre, deeply rooted in the Himalayan landscape, offers a profound engagement with nature, memory, and ecological consciousness. This research article explores the ecological dimensions of Bond’s hill stories, focusing on how mountains and forests are not merely settings but active agents shaping human experience and identity. Through an ecocritical framework, the study examines the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world in Bond’s narratives, highlighting themes such as environmental harmony, loss of biodiversity, nostalgia, and ecological degradation. The paper also investigates the role of memory in constructing a sense of belonging to the hills, where personal recollections merge with environmental awareness. Bond’s subtle yet powerful critique of modernization and environmental exploitation underscores the urgency of preserving fragile ecosystems. Ultimately, this study argues that Bond’s writings function as ecological texts that advocate sustainable living and foster a deep emotional connection with nature.
Keywords: Ecocriticism, Ruskin Bond, Himalayas, Memory, Forests, Environmental Consciousness, Hill Stories.
Page No: 307-313