Benda lives in the wilds of remote area of central India. His village consists of three huts deep in the wilds. Benda and his friends burn small patches of forest to clear them for cultivation. The ash is used for making the soil fertile. Benda is happy that the Mahua trees around him are in bloom. How lucky I am to be a part of this beautiful universe, he thinks as he looks up to see the Mahua, Palash and Sal trees that have sheltered him since childhood. Crossing the penda in a gliding motion, Benda makes his way to a stream. As he bends down to scoop up a palmful of water, he remembers to thank Loi-Lugi, the spirit of the forest for allowing him to quench his thirst. Moving on with his friends, Benda chews on succulent leaves and roots. The boys have been trying to collect Gajjhara and Kuchla, from the forest. These are special plants that Benda and his people use. He hopes the spirits of the forest will be kind and lead him to these herbs. These are needed to barter in the madhai or tribal fair coming up the next full moon.
In the context of this paragraph, which of the following terms can correctly describe the life of Benda.

Both 1 and 3

The correct answer is Option 4: Both 1 and 3

Explanation:

The passage describes Benda's life in deep connection with nature, where his survival and daily activities are entirely shaped by the environment.

1. Environmental Determinism

   • Benda’s lifestyle is completely dictated by nature. He depends on forest resources for food, shelter, and trade, and he worships nature spirits.
   • This aligns with environmental determinism, which suggests that the physical environment determines human activities, culture, and survival.

2. Naturalisation of Humans

   • Benda does not modify the environment significantly; instead, he adapts to it. His belief in forest spirits and rituals shows that humans are seen as a part of nature rather than separate from it.
   • This represents the naturalisation of humans, where human life and activities are closely integrated with natural processes.

Why not Humanisation of Nature?

• Humanisation of nature refers to humans modifying nature to suit their needs, such as building cities or irrigation systems.
• In Benda’s case, he does not alter nature significantly but rather lives in harmony with it.