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Conservation here, he asserts, is not merely about protecting “isolated spe
cies” or a single environmental component. Instead, it fundamentally concerns
“more finely balanced systems that are deeply tied to cultural practices, hydro
logical flows, and even geopolitical tensions”, especially given their proximity
“near the China border”. This intricate web demonstrates that environmental
challenges are rarely purely scientific; they are deeply human. This deep inter
connectedness culminates in Arghya’s core philosophical stance on ecological
integrity: working in these wetlands taught him that “ecological integrity is not a
scientific variable. It’s a philosophical one”. This insight forms the bedrock of his
holistic perspective, compelling him to recognize that environmental issues are
inseparable from the intricate web of human history, local culture, and broader
geopolitical dynamics, consistently remaining central to his understanding of
ecosystems.
“Ecological integrity is not a scientific variable. It’s a
philosophical one.”