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1. MODULE 1 : INDIAN APPROACHES REGARDING
ENVIRONMENT
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2. • The environment is the milieu in which one lives or in other words, it is the
surroundings of human beings. Everything we're surrounded via is what we name as the
environment. Environment is basically everything that surrounds us.
• According to the Black's Law Dictionary, "Environment is the milieu wherein the
organism lives. It consists of the sum of all of its surroundings. This consists of natural
forces as well as the other residing matters. It defines the situations of hazard and
impairment to the subsistence of humans, and to that of the development and growth"
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WHAT IS ENVIRONMENT?

3. • According to Indian philosophy, the complete universe is made out of the
conglomeration of the sub-atomic debris which influence the five gross factors - earth,
water, fire, air and space.
• All of the five factors inherently carry a hyperlink with the 5 human cognitive organs.
The nose incorporates an intrinsic relationship with that of the earth, the tongue with
the water, the eyes with the fire, the contact with the air and, the ear with space. Hence,
a symbiotic correlation among macro and the micro-level surroundings is obvious in
historical Indian philosophical thought.
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CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENT IN ANCIENT INDIA

4. • In Ancient India protection, and cleaning up of environment was the essence of Vedic
culture.
• The Arthshastra by Kautilya, written as early as between 321 and 300 BC, contained
provisions meant to regulate a number of aspects related to the environment.
• The fifth pillar edict of Emperor Ashoka also contains such regulations
• Rig-Veda : Highlights the potentialities of nature in controlling the climate, increasing
fertility and improvement of human life.
• Atherveda: Considers Trees abode of various Gods and Goddess.
• Yajurveda: Emphasizes more on mutual relationship of man with other animals and
plants.
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5. • Narsimhapuran: Trees are personified as God (Brahma).
• Skandpuran: Peepal is supreme to all other trees.
• Varahpuran: Advocates plantation of trees as a means to achieve Heaven.
• Vishnudharmasutra: Says if you plant a tree, it will be your Son in next generation.
• Durga saptasi: So long as the earth has mountains, forests, trees, plants, etc. Human race
will continue to survive.
• Necessity of forest administration was realized in the Chandra Gupt Maurya`s period.
• During this period there were law provisions in Kautaliyas Arthshastra.
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6. 6
Policy during Mauryan`s period
• State to maintain forests: Forests shall be grown and well maintained.
• Selling of trees: Cutting sprouts of trees = 6 panas, Cutting small branches = 12 panas.
Cutting branches = 24 panas.
• Forest reserves for wild animals: Animal forests shall be established, were animals are
welcomed as guests & to give them full protection.
• Protection of wild life: For killing, entrapping, or injuring any animal shall be charged a
fine of 24 panas.
• Pollution: Who throw dust on roads shall be fined = 1/8 panas. Causing muddy water
=1/4 panas. If both the punishment shall be double.

7. HISTORICAL PRUDENCE
Kautilya on Environment
• Kautilya was is not only credited for coming up with an efficient polity for the Mauryan
dynasty but is also admired for this contribution to conserving nature.
• In Arthsastra, he mainly spoke about forests, flora, fauna, land, water and hygiene.
• Kautilya gave immense importance to conserving forests and divided it into four
different categories- Pasuvana, Mrgavana, Dravyavana and Hastivana.
• He was aware of the variety of species of flora present in the forest and was keen on
conserving them for medicinal purposes.
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8. • He also suggests that people who violate the rules and cut trees should be punished
• The first few lines of the text allow us to understand that acquisition and protection of
the earth is essential
• The Arthsashtra written by him, he gave extreme importance to the sustenance of the
environment.
• suggested various methods for water irrigation, constructing reservoirs for water
collection
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9. Practices of Bishnoi Community
• It is a self-sufficient community who relies on the crops grown in the area and are also
termed as the "protector of environment and wildlife" because of the initiatives they
stand for.
• They protect and rescue animals whilst fighting the poaching of animals as well.
• Bishnoism refrains anyone from cutting trees.
• They take the law very seriously and ensure that nobody violates them. And if someone
does, they will use the rights given to them by the constitution of India to fight back
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10. Policy and Laws in Medieval India (1638-1800 AD)
• To Mughal rulers, forest supposed no extra than woodlands wherein they might hunt.
• During Akbar’s rule except for rulers’ others were prohibited from hunting or shikaar.
• No predominant initiatives took place at some point of the medieval period to prevent
environmental protection and conservation of herbal assets as the rulers have been
handiest interested by war, faith propagation and empire building.
• Barring “royal trees” which enjoyed patronage from being cut except upon a fee, there
has been no limit on the cutting of different trees, searching animals, etc.
• Forests throughout this period shrank gradually in size.
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11. Laws in British India (1800-1947 AD)
• Shore Nuisance (Bombay and Kolaba) Act, 1853 imposed restrictions at the fouling of
seawater.
• Merchant Shipping Act of 1858 treated the prevention of sea pollution by way of oil.
• The Fisheries Act, 1897
• The Bengal Smoke Nuisance Act of 1905
• Bombay Smoke Nuisance Act of 1912
• Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1912
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12. WHAT IS THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS?
• The importance of environmental legislation is in that without adequate regulations and laws,
environment conservation cannot be realized.
• Creating environmental awareness and promoting environmental education are the means to
ensure that humans do not degrade environment but conserve it for the future
• However, it is the legislation that ensures ‘environmental conservation’ is actually practiced in
daily life.
• Legislation requires companies, businesses, and the general public to safeguard their
environment and prevent its degradation; it lays down strict punishment for those failing to
obey laws and rules.
• It is ultimately this kind of enforcement that can ensure that ideas and schemes get translated
into actual efforts to conserve the environment.
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