Roots in the Soil, Dreams in the City: My Family’s Environmental Legacy

December 7, 2024 By: Panika Saxena

OFLM Name: Norman Fennema

Course Name and Number: Environmental History HIST_3991

Name: Panika Saxena

Date: December 7, 2024

The environmental history of my family spans several generations and geographies, from the fertile fields by the Betwa River to the bustling city of Bhopal, and now to the suburban landscapes of Saanich, Canada. Each generation of my family has experienced a unique relationship with the environment, shaped by migration, adaptation, changing lifestyles, and evolving societal contexts.

My maternal grandparents were born in Adhwal, a village near Rawalpindi, Punjab (now in Pakistan). They grew up in a family of farmers, whose livelihoods were deeply tied to the land. The partition of India in 1947 forced them to leave their ancestral home and resettle in Pathari, a village near Vidisha in central India. There, they became teachers at the local public school and managed a small farm by the Betwa River.

The Betwa River was central to their lives, providing water for crops and sustaining the natural biodiversity of the region. They cultivated vegetables such as okra, eggplant, and gourds, alongside staples like wheat and lentils, using traditional methods such as crop rotation and organic composting. Their farm also supported livestock, including cows, buffaloes, and goats, which provided milk for the family and the community. This self-sufficient lifestyle fostered a deep connection to the land and its resources, blending education and agriculture into a life of resilience and sustainability.

On my father’s side, my paternal grandparents were born and raised in Uttar Pradesh, India, in families of lawyers and teachers. While they were less directly tied to farming, their professions reflected a focus on intellectual and social development. This balance of education and environmental awareness influenced my father’s life and values.

My mother spent her childhood in Pathari, experiencing the rhythms of rural life. Growing up near the Betwa River, she developed a profound appreciation for nature and the cycles of the seasons. Her family’s self-reliance, from growing their food to maintaining livestock, shaped her understanding of resourcefulness and sustainability. Later, she moved to Bhopal to work as a public school teacher, marking a significant shift in her interaction with the environment.

My father, born and raised in Farrukhabad(UP), moved to Bhopal to study mechanical engineering and became a telecommunications contractor. He later owned multiple chemical factories, reflecting the industrial boom in early 21st-century India. Urban living offered convenience and opportunity but came with challenges. Unlike the rural self-sufficiency of his parents, my father’s professional life revolved around human-made systems. Yet, Bhopal’s lakes, such as Upper Lake, remained an integral part of family outings and a connection to nature.

Despite their urban surroundings, my parents maintained some traditional practices, such as tending small gardens and sourcing fresh produce from local markets. These practices bridged their rural roots and urban realities, ensuring that the values of sustainability and community connection were passed down to me.

Born and raised in Bhopal, I grew up surrounded by the city’s lakes and green spaces. My early years were defined by mix of natural beauty and urban chaos, with bustling markets, serene parks, and the occasional pollution crisis around harvest seasons and festivals like Diwali. My parents’ stories of rural life, from milking buffaloes to planting seasonal crops, were a reminder of the self-sufficient lifestyle my grandparents lived.

Moving to Canada for my bachelor’s degree was a transformative experience. Settling in Saanich, surrounded by Swan Lake and Christmas Hill, I have experienced a more immersive connection to the environment. Unlike my grandparents, who depended on the land for survival, or my parents, who sought green spaces within a city, I view nature as a retreat and a source of peace and inspiration. Walking through Christmas Hill’s Garry oak meadows and observing the biodiversity of Swan Lake has deepened my appreciation for natural ecosystems and the importance of preserving them.

The environmental histories of my grandparents, parents, and myself reflect a broader societal shift. My grandparents’ generation lived in direct harmony with the land, relying on its resources for their livelihoods. They grew their own food, kept livestock for milk, and practiced sustainable farming methods. My parents adapted to urbanization, balancing modern conveniences with their rural roots. In contrast, I have grown up with the privilege of enjoying nature primarily for its aesthetic and recreational value, while being acutely aware of the environmental challenges we face today.

Each generation’s relationship with the environment has been shaped by its circumstances. My grandparents’ focus was on survival and stewardship, my parents on opportunity and adaptation, and mine is on preservation and sustainability. This evolution highlights the need for greater awareness and action to address the environmental issues of our time.

Reflecting on my family’s environmental history, I am inspired to bridge the lessons of the past with the needs of the present. The self-sufficiency and sustainability of my grandparents, combined with the adaptability of my parents, serve as a guide for my own aspirations. As I navigate life in Canada, I aim to reconnect with the natural world, supporting conservation efforts and fostering a deeper understanding of the interdependence between humans and the environment.

The journey from the fertile lands of the Betwa River to the suburban landscapes of Saanich is a story of adaptation, resilience, and changing relationships with nature. By carrying forward the values of my ancestors while embracing modern sustainability practices, I hope to contribute to a future where humanity and the environment coexist in harmony.