By Manoj Singh, IAS (Retd.)
Bruno Latour’s idea of the “Parliament of Things” challenges the modern belief that only humans are political actors. Latour argues that non-human entities—rivers, forests, mountains, wildlife, climate systems, technologies, even microorganisms—also shape collective life and therefore deserve representation in public decision-making. In an age of climate crises, mass extinction, water scarcity, and technological disruption, this idea is no longer philosophical abstraction; it is a compelling democratic necessity.
For India—one of the world’s most biodiverse, populous, and climate-vulnerable nations—the Parliament of Things offers a powerful lens to redesign governance for the 21st century.
Why India Needs a Parliament of Things
1. Ecological actors already influence politics
•The Yamuna’s pollution affects Delhi’s health and economy.
•Himalayan glaciers determine water security for millions.
•Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal shape disaster budgets and migration patterns.
These non-human forces already “speak” through disasters, scarcity, and ecosystem collapse—just not through institutions.
2. Constitutional provisions point the way
Article 48A and Article 51A(g) assign duties to protect nature.
Supreme Court judgments—from the Ganga and Yamuna as “living entities” (Uttarakhand HC, 2017) to the recognition of animal rights in Kerala and Haryana cases—hint at Latourian thinking:
nature is not merely an object; it is a stakeholder.
3. Tribal and indigenous traditions already embody this idea
Adivasi cosmologies treat forests, rivers, and animals as kin.
Sacred groves (devrai, sarna) function as natural Parliaments of Things where humans and ecology negotiate coexistence.
India has philosophical readiness for this idea.
What Would a Parliament of Things Look Like in India?
1. Representation for ecosystems
Parliamentary committees or state-level bodies may include:
•River guardians (Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra)
•Forest councils representing Sundarbans, Western Ghats, Northeast forests
•Mountain councils for Himalayas
•Wetland and coastline representatives
These “representatives” would be humans—scientists, local communities, forest dwellers, hydrologists—speaking for non-human entities.
2. Mandatory ecological impact representation in policymaking
Every policy—budget, roads, mining, housing, defence—must include non-human impact testimony, just as public consultations include citizens’ voices.
3. Technological Things as political actors
In an increasingly digital India:
•Algorithms deciding welfare delivery
•Digital platforms shaping public opinion
•AI models in governance
These “things” need oversight and representation too, ensuring algorithmic fairness becomes part of democratic deliberation.
4. Panchayat-level ecological wards
Village councils could formally designate:
•Water wardens
•Biodiversity stewards
•Soil guardians
•Grazing common custodians
Local knowledge adds legitimacy.
5. Special Rights for Ecological Entities
Following Ecuador and New Zealand, India could codify rights for:
•Rivers
•Forests
•Wetlands
•Endangered species
This prevents exploitation by giving legal standing to ecosystems.
Case Studies Showing the Parliament of Things in Action
1. The Western Ghats Expert Panel (Gadgil Committee)
Its vision—scientific guardianship, graded ecological zones, and community decision-making—mirrors Latour’s idea: ecology enters policy as a co-legislator.
2. Chilika Lake, Odisha
The Chilika Development Authority acts as a voice for the lagoon, balancing tourism, fishing, and wetland health.
3. National Green Tribunal (NGT)
NGT judgments often speak for rivers, forests, air, and endangered species; it is the most practical Indian example of a Parliament of Things.
Challenges in Implementing the Parliament of Things
1. Anthropocentric bias
Modern governance sees nature through the lenses of resources and revenue.
2. Conflicts between economic growth and ecological preservation
Infrastructure, mining, and urban expansion often silence ecological voices.
3. Representation problem
Who speaks for a river?
Scientists? Fisherfolk? Tribal communities? Bureaucracy?
A democratic balance is essential.
Policy Recommendations for India
1. Create a “Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ecology and Future Generations.”
A human institution representing non-human entities and the citizens of tomorrow.
2. Legal Personhood for Major Ecosystems
Empower guardians with statutory authority.
3. Integrate ecological accounting into budgeting (Green GDP).
4. Local Ecological Democracy
Strengthen Forest Rights Act, Gram Sabhas, and community conservation.
5. Introduce “Ecological Impact Hearings” before major projects.
Democracy Beyond Humans
India stands at a crossroads: its demographic dividend coexists with ecological vulnerability.
Latour’s Parliament of Things offers a democratic renewal where rivers, forests, mountains, animals, and technologies are treated as legitimate participants in governance.
This is not about abandoning development—it is about redefining development so that the non-human world is not a silent casualty but an active partner.
For India, embracing a Parliament of Things means moving toward a governance model that is more just, more sustainable, and ultimately more Indian—rooted in ancient wisdom and future-ready vision.
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