Echoes of Colonialism: A Study of Human-Nature Relationship in Abdulrazak Gurnah's By the Sea

Colonialism has left a profound and enduring impact on the environment, primarily through the relentless exploitation of natural resources and the disruption of indigenous ecological practices. With the advent of the colonial era, economic interests were put ahead of the impasse and protection of the surrounding environment, which resulted in widespread deforestation, soil degradation, and resource depletion. Such exploitation disrupted the traditional knowledge systems. Sustainable practices built by the indigenous communities over the years were irreversibly and fundamentally altered. The effects of colonialism remain rooted deep within the post-colonial societies propagating environmental degradation and economic inequality and social stratification. The genre of eco-literature aims to make a lasting impression on such historical injustices and environmental concerns. It highlights the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world. In the novel By the Sea (2001), Abdulrazak Gurnah explores the environmental impact of colonialism on Zanzibar during the late 19th century. He highlights the ecological consequences of colonization, including deforestation, exploitation of resources, and loss of traditional knowledge. This paper intends to study the interdependence between people and nature, showing how environmental degradation directly affects communities and their way of living.