Practising Eco-criticism: Nature and Sustainability in Ruskin Bond's Short Stories

Abstract: This paper explores the inherent eco-critical consciousness in the short stories of Ruskin Bond, arguing that his work transcends theoretical "eco-criticism" to depict an inalienable, lived bond between humanity and the natural world. By situating Bond's sensibilities alongside the creative principles of English Romantic poets, the study examines how his prose counterpoints the "vigorous earth" against the aggressive aggrandizement of post-industrial civilization. This paper explores the inherent eco-critical consciousness in the short stories of Ruskin Bond, arguing that his work transcends theoretical "eco-criticism" to depict an inalienable, lived bond between humanity and the natural world. By situating Bond's sensibilities alongside the creative principles of English Romantic poets, the study examines how his prose counterpoints the "vigorous earth" against the aggressive aggrandizement of post-industrial civilization. Keywords: Ruskin Bond, Eco-criticism, Sustainability, Nature vs. Civilization, Romanticism, Wildlife Conservation.