Ecological Collapse and Psychological Resilience:

An Ecocritical Perspective on Khalid Fateh Muhammad’s Urdu Novel Koh-E-Graan

Abstract

Khalid Fateh Muhammad’s Koh-e-Graan offers a profound exploration of environmental degradation and its intricate connection to human psychology. This paper examines the novel through an ecocritical lens, focusing on themes of ecological grief, alienation, and resilience. Set in a dystopian yet eerily familiar world, Koh-e-Graan narrates the journey of Haleem, who returns to his desolate ancestral village with a mission to restore it. Through his struggle, the novel highlights the psychological toll of environmental exploitation and the collective challenges of rebuilding in the face of ecological collapse. The story serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action, urging humanity to embrace sustainable practices and ecological ethics to avert a bleak future. By integrating ecocritical theories, including solastalgia, slow violence, and environmental justice, this study emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with nature to safeguard both human well-being and the environment.