Eco-Conscious Ethics in Amitav Ghosh’s Novel “River of Smoke”

Yash Paul; Renu Sharma; Gagandeep Kour

Eco-Conscious Ethics in Amitav Ghosh’s Novel “River of Smoke”

Author(s)	Mr. Yash Paul, Dr. Renu Sharma, Ms. Gagandeep Kour
Country	India
Abstract	Abstract Amitav Ghosh is one among the major contemporary authors who penned down numerous fiction and non-fiction literary texts. Ghosh laid his interest in writing based on distinctive themes, out of them ecological morality is one, in which Ghosh explored the number of ecological matters, ecological threats, and also ecological principles to make eco-friendly or eco-nationalism. His number of works which are based as ecological perspective such as The Hungry Tide, Ibis Trilogy which consists three novels as Sea of Poppies 2008, River of Smoke 2011, Flood of Fire 2015 and non-fiction The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable 2016. Out of these I have selected “River of Smoke” for research exploration. Amitav Ghosh’s River of Smoke, the second fiction work in Ibis Trilogy is more than a historical exploration of the 19th century opium trade. It is nuanced critique of environmental exploitation embedded within colonial and capitalist system. This research paper the novella through an ecological perspective, highlighting how Ghosh weaves eco-conscious ethics into the narrative by portraying the complex interaction between human and the natural world. Set against the back drop of colonial expansion, the novella foregrounds the commodification of nature particularly in the form of plants botanical gardens and maritime trade routes and underscores how environmental degradation was an inherent part of imperial ambition. Through the depiction of displaced flora, disrupted ecosystems, and scientific exploitation of environment, Ghosh brings attention to early forms of ecological injustice that continue to resonate in the present-day crisis of global warming and climate change. This presentation will explore how “River of Smoke” anticipates contemporary ecological concerns by examining the historical roots of environmental destruction. The paper argues that Ghosh call for re-evaluation of our relationship with nature prompting ecological balance, sustainability and moral environmental stewardship. By interpreting the novel in this way, we can better understand how literature can be potent vehicle for raising environmental awareness and prompting international ecological dialogue.
Keywords	Ecological morality, ecocriticism, sustainable development, eco conscious themes in selected novel, climate change and biodiversity.
Published In	Volume 16, Issue 4, October-December 2025
Published On	2025-10-08

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Eco-Conscious Ethics in Amitav Ghosh’s Novel “River of Smoke”

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