“I’ll tell you what hermits realize. If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, you’ll come to understand that you’re connected with everything.”  — Alan Watts / forests are the lungs of our land / who has priority—humans or nature? / dharmic leadership brings about the Earth’s flourishing / a shortage of natural resources indicates the lack of dharmic leadership / Bhagavatam gives trees agency and voice in its narrative / human and nonhuman - parts of the same whole /  responsible leadership plays a central role in averting ecological crises