๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ฃ๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฌ : ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐๐๐ฒ๐
Lecture Cum-discussion Session
๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ฃ๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฌ
๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐๐๐ฒ๐
The Department of Sociology (Students’ Initiative), BHU, organized an insightful Lecture-cum-Interaction Session on "The Scope of Sociology with Special Reference to Environmental Issues". The session featured Dr. Neha Kala , an esteemed academic and researcher in sociology, and was presided
over by Prof. O.P. Bharatiya (HOD, Department of Sociology, BHU ).
The lecture opened with a thought-provoking discussion on how sociology helps us understand the intricate relationship between society and the environment. Dr. Kala emphasized that sociology is not just the study of human interactions but also a tool to analyze the impact of social structures, economic systems, and cultural practices on environmental sustainability. The session delved into historical transformations, capitalism’s role in environmental crises, and the three dilemmas of development, urging students to critically assess how societies can balance progress with ecological responsibility.
The seminar explored the deep connections between sociology and environmental issues, emphasizing how social structures, economic systems, and cultural values shape ecological outcomes. The discussion began by highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of sociology, intersecting with psychology, economics, and anthropology, to critically examine how forces like greed and capitalism drive unsustainable resource use.
Dr. Kala offered a comparative perspective between Indian and American environmental sociology. While India emphasizes qualitative, community-based, and tradition-rooted approaches, the American model is more data-driven and policy-oriented, focusing on measurable outcomes and regulatory frameworks.
Three key dilemmas of development were discussed: the tension between growth and equity, the loss of cultural and ecological diversity, and the displacement of marginalized communities due to infrastructure projects. A case study of a tree plantation initiative by the Anglo-Indian community illustrated how social responsibility can lead to impactful environmental efforts without financial incentives.
The seminar also touched on the rising trend of organic farming, positioned as a sustainable alternative to industrial agriculture. It promotes eco-friendly, chemical-free practices rooted in traditional knowledge.
In conclusion, the session emphasized that environmental protection is a collective responsibility, not just a task for governments. The central message urged a redefinition of development—one that balances human progress with ecological preservation. Students were left with a thought-provoking question: Can we create a future where development does not come at the cost of our environment?