Aranya Kanda In Ramayana: The Moral Foundation for Sustainable Forest Governance in Contemporary World

Abstract Due to evolving significance to Indian Knowledge System; Ramayana has been subject for researchers for getting better solutions for Legal Systems in contemporary era. The Socio-Legal approaches in the form of Philosophy discussed in Ramayana are evident to show the wisdom of Author of Ramayana-Sage Valmiki. On the backdrop of Sustainable Development in contemporary era, Ramayana is rich heritage of Ecological Wisdom playing a role of lighthouse to guide for better governance of Environment. Out of Seven parts of Ramayana; Aranya Kanda – the ‘Book of Forest’ highlights the relationship between Human Being and Forest. Author here, tries best to analyse the nexus between notions of Environmental Law and Sustainability in contemporary era & Aranya Kanda in Ramayana. Author has done comparative analysis of Forest management Practices implied in the Aranya Kanda and modern strategies of Community Forestry, Sacred Groves and Sustainable Livelihood to attain ecological harmony. This research studies the ecological ethics in Aranya Kanda to form philosophical basis of existing socio-legal systems governing forestry. This research contends that Aranya Kanda is philosophical basis for ecological perspective-a notion which has close nexus with modern concepts of Conservation ethics and Participatory Forest Governance. This research creates further scope for other disciplines that how traditional narratives can be implemented in reality for better environmental management. It offers a transdisciplinary framework that bridges classical philosophy, environmental humanities, and forest ecology.