In many ways in a modern capitalistic society dynamism has been prided over stillness. Productivity is measured in terms of the volume of output. Advancement is scaled through the lens of inventions achieved. Humanity appears to be caught up in a paradigm where being is equated with doing. The American author Jenny Odell defines this kind of progress as growing "straight and tall, side by side, producing faithfully without ever touching". This notion hints towards humanity in the blatant pursuit of 'progress', losing touch with fellow beings and even nature itself. There is a decreasing sense of sensitivity. This egoistic anaesthesia is engulfing humanity where self-interest threatens to make us insensitive to the other. The loss of sensitivity further contributes to detaching oneself from our bioregional identity by the state of withdrawal and sees oneself as a sole unattached, independent unit. This paradigm induces the self in seeing the other an 'it' or an object devoid of its uniqueness, existing solely for one's utility and gratification. This loss of sensitivity and connectedness has led to the destruction of ecology and is threatening society today with grave consequences. In the light of the rising ecological degradation and maintaining equilibrium with progress and conservation, concern for nature has become an unavoidable imperative, lest we perish.
Peter Berg’s concept of bioregionalism describes a bioregion as an area shaped by natural features such as watersheds, terrain, soil, geology, native flora and fauna, climate, and weather, while recognising human beings as one species participating within the dynamic interaction of these environmental elements and relationships. Again, Berg along with Raymond Dasmann elaborating on the concept of bioregionalism state that, Living-in-place means following the necessities and pleasures of life as they are uniquely presented by a particular site, and evolving ways to ensure long-term occupancy of that site. A society which practices living-in-place keeps a balance with its region of support through links between human lives, other living things, and the processes of the planet — seasons, weather, water cycles — as revealed by the place itself. It is the opposite of a society which makes a living through short-term destructive exploitation of land and life.
Most recently the agitations in Goa towards preservation of the bio-diversity threatened by rampant mega-housing projects, and the remonstration to the double-tracking of rail tracks that threaten the destruction of the green biodiversity of Goa, are in line towards the realization of this bioregional notion. Goa and Goans possess bioregional identity, and the preservation of Goa and Goans imply the conservation of its unique bioregion. The bios cannot be fragmented from the holistic identity of being Goan, lest we lose our very selves. The integrated and holistic outlook of being Goan needs an unconditional acceptance. While progress and development are desired, the quantifiers of such development deserve a relook. A sustainable approach to development which does not threaten our ecology needs to be adopted. A sense of belonging to, and responsibility for the place, the region in which we live is not only crucial in helping us to define our individual, community, and cultural identities, but also lies at the very heart of sustainability.
The notion of growth which attempts to establish something new at the cost of destruction of the old cannot be accorded the status of progress. Such a progress endeavours to take strides turning a blind eye to anything and everything that comes in its way. The consequence of such egoistic blind strides are detrimental and render ecology and our own survival to the point of no return. This faulty skyscraper may attempt to touch the sky of development but loses connectivity and sight of its true identity and nature. It dangerously faces the threat of an inevitable a fall and the destruction of not only the self but the entire region around it. Such a faulty paradigm of progress cannot be allowed to proliferate and needs immediate withdrawal.
As Pope Francis notes in Laudato Si’, authentic ecological commitment begins with “care for our common home,” a reminder that our relationship with the Earth is inseparable from our relationship with one another. Taken together, this perspective reinforces the idea that belonging is not merely social but ecological: we are part of a wider living system that sustains us and to which we are responsible. Recognising this interconnectedness invites a more compassionate, grounded, and ethically attuned way of inhabiting the world. Progress is undoubtedly desired. However, this idea of progress needs to shed its egoistic character, which forfeits the respect to the uniqueness of each component of the bioregional outlook. There is a need today to acknowledge our identity as connected with our bioregion. The strides towards progress need to be taken safeguarding this bioregion and adopting a sustainable developmental plan.