History of Environmental Protection in India from Ancient to Modern Times, various Indian religious scriptures and spiritual teachings say about the environment, nature, and human responsibility toward its protection:

What God Says About the Environment – Indian Religious Perspective

🕉️ Hinduism

Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda)
- Nature is divine. Trees, rivers, wind, fire, and the sun are worshipped as deities.
- Rigveda (10.90): “The Earth is our mother, and we are her children.”
- Yajurveda (36.17): “O man! Destroy not the trees, nor pollute the river and ocean.”
Bhagavad Gita
- Chapter 3, Verse 14:
  “All beings are nourished by food, food is produced by rain, rain comes from sacrifice (yajna), and sacrifice is born of action (karma).”
  ➤ This shows the interdependence of nature and human action. If man disturbs nature, the cycle breaks.
Manusmriti (Chapter 6, Verse 70–72)
- “One who injures harmless beings from a desire to give himself pleasure, never finds happiness.”
  ➤ Reflects the duty not to harm animals or plants.
Puranas (Varaha, Vishnu, Matsya)
- Planting trees like Peepal and Neem is seen as sacred.
- Varaha Purana: “He who plants one Peepal, one Neem, and ten flowering plants goes to heaven.”
  ➤ Environmental service equals spiritual merit.

☸️ Buddhism (Teachings of Gautama Buddha)

Ahimsa (non-violence) extends to all life forms – animals, trees, water.
Buddha meditated under the Bodhi tree, symbolising oneness with nature.
“The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life.”
➤ Buddhism encourages simplicity and reverence for all living beings.

🕊️ Jainism (Teachings of Lord Mahavira)

"Parasparopagraho Jīvānām" – All life is interdependent.
Five great vows (Mahavratas) include Ahimsa, which forbids harming any life.
Lord Mahavira: “To harm any living being is to harm oneself.”
➤ Environmental preservation is non-negotiable in Jain ethics.

☪️ Islam (Teachings from the Quran)

Qur’an (Surah Al-A'raf 7:31):
“Do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:205):
“And when he goes away, he strives throughout the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals. And Allah does not like corruption.”
➤ Nature is a trust (Amanah) from Allah; man is a guardian, not owner.

✝️ Christianity

Genesis 2:15 (Holy Bible):
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
Psalm 24:1: “The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
➤ Man has a stewardship role, not domination over nature.

Universal Message from God (Through All Faiths)

Nature is not property, but a sacred trust.
Humans have responsibility to protect, not exploit.
True spirituality is incomplete without environmental care.

Timeline: History of Environmental Protection in India

3000 BCE – 1500 BCE

Indus Valley Civilization

One of the earliest urban civilizations with clear environmental consciousness.
Features:
- Planned cities (e.g., Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa)
- Public baths, underground drainage, and waste disposal systems
- Awareness of sanitation and hygiene
Belief in clean environment as essential to daily life.

1500 BCE – 600 BCE

Vedic Period

Nature worship deeply rooted in the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda.
Hymns cautioning against ecological imbalance.
Rain, wind, rivers, sun, and trees were revered.
Charak Samhita (900 BCE): Advocated for clean water and hygiene.
Vriksha Ayurveda: Detailed tree care and forestry practices.

600 BCE – 200 BCE

Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire

Kautilya’s Arthashastra (c. 300 BCE):
- Prescribed fines for cutting trees, killing animals, polluting water.
- Forests managed under state control.
Manusmriti:
- Suggested penance for environmental harm.
- Banned harming medicinal plants, trees, and animals.
Puranas (e.g., Vishnu Purana, Varah Purana):
- Emphasized planting trees and maintaining ecological balance.

200 BCE – 1200 CE

Post-Mauryan & Early Medieval Period

Continuation of Hindu and Buddhist ecological ethics.
Jainism (Lord Mahavira): Strong advocacy of non-violence (Ahimsa) towards all life.
Buddhism (Gautama Buddha):
- Urged protection of trees and forests.
- Ashoka's inscriptions mention protection of animals and plants.
Panchatantra quote:
- "Cutting trees and killing animals leads not to heaven but to hell."

1206 – 1526 CE

Delhi Sultanate Period

Environmental concern declined.
Forests cleared for agriculture, construction, and military purposes.
No structured environmental jurisprudence or documentation.

1526 – 1707 CE

Mughal Era

Nature used for pleasure and hunting, not preservation.
Babur (Baburnama): Documented flora/fauna.
Jahangir:
- Commissioned paintings of nature by artists like Mansur.
- Constructed Mughal gardens (for leisure).
Akbar: Limited documentation of ecological ethics.
Hunting and deforestation increased; royal trees were somewhat protected.

1757 – 1947 CE

British Colonial Rule

Forests and natural resources exploited for timber, trade, and railway construction.
Environmentalism began for imperial motives, not preservation.
Major legislations:
- Indian Forest Act, 1865 (amended 1878, 1927)
- Reserved forests for British use, restricted native access.
Environmental degradation during colonial rule led to forest scarcity.
Beginning of environmental policy for resource conservation, not rights or ecology.

1947 – 1972 CE

Post-Independence (Early Phase)

Environmental protection not a priority in early years.
Forest and agriculture policies remained influenced by colonial legacy.
Industrial development continued with no major environmental laws.

1972 – Present

Modern Environmental Law Era

🔹 1972: Stockholm Conference

India participated and acknowledged environmental issues globally.
Led to enactment of comprehensive environmental laws.

🔹 1976: Constitution (42nd Amendment)

Article 48A: State shall protect the environment.
Article 51A(g): Citizens’ fundamental duty to protect environment.

🔹 Key Environmental Laws:

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Forest Conservation Act, 1980
National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

🔹 Landmark Judicial Decisions:

M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1986):
- Evolved Absolute Liability Principle.
- Paved way for PILs on environment.
Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991):
- Right to clean water and air = Fundamental Right under Article 21.
Samir Mehta v. Union of India (NGT):
- Reaffirmed Precautionary Principle and Polluter Pays Principle.

🔹 Global Commitments:

Rio Summit (1992)
Paris Climate Agreement (2015)
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

🔹 Recent Initiatives:

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Green India Mission
National Electric Mobility Mission

Conclusion:

From deep-rooted spiritual traditions of ecological harmony in Ancient India to policy-driven environmentalism of modern India, the timeline reflects a transition from cultural preservation to legal enforcement. However, climate change, industrial pollution, and overpopulation continue to challenge our constitutional and global commitments.

🔖 Blog by Chandan Sha | For more legal insights, stay tuned to Study on Law Hills.

🔖 About Study on Law Hills

By Chandan Sha
One-stop blog for law notes, moot memorials & legal updates

Study on Law Hills is a legal blog that simplifies Indian law for students and professionals. From Constitution to Criminal Law, it offers:

📚 Law notes for exams
⚖️ Moot court memorials (Petitioner & Respondent)
🧾 Case commentaries & updates
📲 Legal reels & lectures via Instagram & YouTube

🔗 Blog: studyonlawhills.blogspot.com
📸 Instagram: @slawh2023
📧 Email: csstarmoon1000@gmail.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Chandan Sha

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

History of Environmental Protection in India from Ancient to Modern Times, various Indian religious scriptures and spiritual teachings say about the environment.