Anthropocene and Apocalypse: Environmental Degradation in Sorrows of Sarasvati: The Lost River

Abstract

This research aims to examine the environmental apocalypse in Mustansar Hussain Tarar’s novel Bahao (1971), translated into English as Sorrows of Sarasvati: The Lost River by Dr. Safeer Awan. Utilizing a qualitative approach, this study employs textual analysis based on Stibbe (2021) framework of Eco-linguistics which highlights the shift from anthropocentric to bio-centric perspectives in modern literature. The results of the present research contribute to a detailed analysis of the representation of the environmental apocalypse and the roles of urbanization in the transformation of the human society, environments, and dynamics of individuals and groups in Sorrows of Sarasvati, The Lost River. The study concludes the importance of balanced environmental conditions, ecosystems and natural resources like rainfall, water, and food for survival. It implies that environmental degradation and resource depletion lead to deteriorating living conditions and human activities disrupting natural balance expedite environmental decline.