NATURE, SURVIVAL, AND THE ANTHROPOCENE: A CRITICAL STUDY OF RUSKIN BOND'S DUST ON THE MOUNTAIN

Modern civilization owes its comfort to human intervention in nature, but reckless exploitation can harm the environment, leading to disasters like pollution, resource scarcity, and desertification. Ruskin Bond, one of India’s greatest writers, subtly addresses deforestation on mountains caused by modernization, inspiring readers to cherish and protect nature, which is in an alarming state through his works. This article delves into Ruskin Bond’s Dust on the Mountain, a novella that intertwines human struggles with the environmental challenges of the Himalayan region. The story follows Bisnu, a young boy forced to leave his village in search of livelihood against the backdrop of deforestation, climate change, and ecological degradation. Using eco criticism as the theoretical lens, the paper examines the Anthropocene’s imprint on the story and explores its themes of survival, human-nature interdependence, and resilience. Bond’s narrative sheds light on the stark realities of rural communities while offering a poignant message on environmental conservation. Through a close reading of the text and contextual analysis, this paper argues that Dust on the Mountain serves as a clarion call for restoring ecological balance and respecting the delicate interconnections of life.