Investigating the Human–Nature Relationship in Amitav Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide

The intricate and often indefinable relationship between human beings and the natural world has received sustained critical attention under the theoretical framework of ecocriticism. This approach foregrounds not only human experiences but also the representation of the physical environment in literary texts, emphasizing their interdependence. In the twenty-first century, ecocritical discourse reflects an intensified global awareness of environmental crises, including climate change, global warming, and rising carbon emissions, all of which have accelerated ecological degradation. If such destructive trends remain unchecked, they pose a serious threat to the sustainability of modern civilization. Against this backdrop, Amitav Ghosh, recipient of the Jnanpith Award, presents in his novel The Hungry Tide a compelling narrative that interweaves human lives, ecological vulnerability, and climatic uncertainties in the fragile tidal landscape of the Sundarbans. The novel serves as a powerful literary exploration of environmental consciousness, portraying the complex dynamics between nature and marginalized communities inhabiting the deltaic region. This paper examines how human interventions, driven by ignorance, survival needs, and developmental pressures, contribute to ecological imbalance. It further analyzes whether nature and humanity are depicted as protectors or adversaries of one another, and reflects on the ethical responsibility of humankind in fostering ecological harmony, ensuring sustainable coexistence, and safeguarding the environment in the age of globalization.