A One-Day International Interdisciplinary Conference

on

Postcolonial Ecospheres: Principles, Policies & Politics

Conducted by

Department of English, Sadhan Chandra Mahavidyalaya

(Date of Conference- 15 November, 2022 (Tuesday))

Concept Note:

It is interesting to note that two tropes- ‘postcolonialism’ and ‘ecocriticism’ do expand on binary mechanism – whereas west/other binary is discerned in postcolonialism and in case of ecocriticism, human/nature binary functions actively. To perceive the current biospheric crises which are categorised as terrestrial, aquatic, atmospheric and socio-cultural, it is of utmost inevitability to address the alarming environmental issues from the history of globalization and imperialism. Western countries, which endorse a ‘development paradigm’ by relentlessly plundering wilderness, are often found with the notions of climate change denials and unfortunately, the countries and regions in the Global South are indicted with the expedition of ecological devastation by emitting more greenhouse gases. This dichotomy in relation to ecological crisis begets ecological racism and makes the denizens of those countries become victims. To establish a symbiotic alliance with wilderness, the practice of deep ecology, recognized by western world, is imperative but theories such as ‘environmentalism of the poor’ (Guha and Martinez-Alier, 1997; Guha, 2000; Martínez-Alier, 2002) postulated by Ramchandra Guha and Joan Martinez Alier, and ‘liberation ecology’ (Peet and Watts, 2004) propound the proportionate dispersal of environmental boons and evils amongst all. In the article entitled Environmentalist of the Poor (2002), the noted Indian environmentalist Ramchandra Guha states, “The destruction of the environment clearly poses the biggest threat to marginal cultures and occupations like that of tribals, nomads, fisherfolks and artisans, which have always been heavily dependent on their immediate environment for their survival.” Gender issue is also indicated in this article and he adds, “the maximum impact of the destruction of biomass is on women. Women in all rural cultures are affected, especially women from poor landless, marginal and small farming families.”

The transition phase on the Gaia, caused by the Global North which is equipped with techno-scientific advancement, is termed as a “state shift” by earth system scientists. The concept of Anthropocene crystallizes the planetary crisis caused by “human action” plus “Nature” (Chakraborty 2009) and this idea interweaves human history and natural history. The emergence of modern capitalism, as a new socio-economic mechanism which is characterised by its incomparable dynamics in market strategy, took place in the nineteenth century and it imbues the very idea of materialistic development across the globe. The development paradigm expedites ecological degradation since it essentially requires anthropocentric activities and it happens by ruthlessly plundering wilderness to meet the market strategy of capitalism. Hence, Nature gets commodified, and incessant violence is imposed on nature and even homo sapiens become the prey of capitalism. For having an immense impact of capitalism in controlling over environmental equilibrium, this epoch is termed as ‘Capitalocene’ by Jason W. Moore and  Donna J. Haraway. As per Jason W. Moore, “Capitalocene signifies capitalism as way of organizing nature – as a multispecies, situated, capitalist world-ecology.” In fact, capitalism under the garb of green capitalism keeps on making ecological destruction. Biocolonisation is one of the emerging trends through which Global North strives to hold their superiority over ‘other’.

In the postcolonial world, all living organisms are compelled to be in the jeopardized state and consequently, this situation creates various appalling ecological issues such as climate refugees, severe deforestation, homelessness of wild animals, eco-racism, extinction of rare species, etc. In Staying with the Trouble (2016), Donna J. Haraway postulates a concept of the post-Anthropocene era which she terms ‘Chthulucene’ in which homo sapiens will make kinship with biological critters relinquishing the status of ‘superiority. In the argument of environmental crisis, postcolonial studies are placed in a significant place as it critically engages ‘glocalization’, nature and cultures.  In this International Conference, postcolonial methodological approaches are employed to find answers to seemingly irresistible ecological catastrophe and protect this planet from annihilation.

Paper presenters may include the following subthemes but by no means limited to these only:

1. Environment and Postcolonial Studies
2. Environment and children’s literature
3. Environment and transhumanist/ posthumanist concerns
4. Graphic novels and ecological issues
5. Films and environment
6. Environmental concerns in Teaching-learning process
7. Environment and video games
8. Environment and queer studies   
9. Environment and digital world
10. Ecology and advertisement
11. Environmental Justice and race
12.  Environmental Justice and language
13. Environment Justice and aesthetics
14.  Environment and tourism

 Key Details:

1. Dates of the Conference: 15 November, 2022 (Tuesday)

2. Abstract Submission Deadline: 7 November, 2022

4. Mailing ID for Abstract (150 Words) and Bio-note (75 words): postcolecology.scm@gmail.com

5. Mode of Conference: Hybrid (In-person & Virtual)

6. Venue: College campus of Sadhan Chandra Mahavidyalaya, Harindanga, Falta, South        24 Parganas, West Bengal-743504

5. Selected papers will be considered for an international publication (with ISBN) after   double-blind peer review.

6. For query: postcolecology.scm@gmail.com

Registration Fees:

Attendee- 500 (INR)

Paper Presenter- 1100 (INR) (Conference proceeding with ISBN to be provided )

Chief Patron:

Dr. Sk. Fazlul Haque

Principal, Sadhan Chandra Mahavidyalaya

Conveners:

Goutam Majhi, Asst. Professor, Dept. of English, Sadhan Chandra Mahavidyalaya

Nabanita Saha, Asst. Professor, Dept. of English, Sadhan Chandra Mahavidyalaya