Ecological Narratives and Cultural Encounters: Exploring Themes of Environment, Migration, and Identity in Amitav Ghosh's the Hungry Tide

Abstract

Anthropocentrism and the ecological resilience have been two constant intertwined issues, where on one side the belief is totally human centric and one another side is the ecological disbalance caused by the first. The dichotomy between the two, where human beings are part of this conducive atmosphere continuously impacting the ecological system. Various activities like deforestation, depilating environmental strata, pollution and many more leaves socio -ecological domain a wide area of concern. The social belief that human beings are superior, because of the intrinsic value system disbalances the entire eco-system, which indicates the instrumental view of nature. However, the traces of reputable ecological system have been evident in the history of such constant destabilisation. Literature has reiterated such interplay of nature and mankind in various forms. This study aims to analyse the ecological concerns and cultural encounters under the light of migration, identity issues, and environmental factors. Amitav Ghosh in The Hungry Tide has portrayed two such varied plots. Firstly, it seeks to investigate displaced people and second is how humans share dangerous and complicated ecosystems with animals. Where they is contrasting elements of love, bond, emotional interdependence shared between humans and nature. The Hungry Tide (2004) has been acknowledged as one of best novels in the similar concern As the novel resonates with the contemporary story of dislocation, disjunction and destabilisation. This is a reputable ecological novel that blends environmentalism, anthropology, travel, migration, and anthropology.