Biodiversity

Biography

Biography: Sayan Bhattacharya

Abstract

The relationship between culture and ecology was the integral part of ancient Indian societies. Interactions with diverse biological entities and concern for their conservation remained important components in the structure of ancient civilizations of India. In the present study, some ancient Indian texts are highlighted which can eminently reflect the concepts of environmental conservation and sustainable development. The Arthasastra written by Kautilya (the minister of Chandragupta Maurya, 321-297 BC) divided the country into different ecological zones between the Himalayas and the oceans. Arthasastra demonstrated Kautilya’s perception and concern about the living creatures: Domestic and wild animals, plants and vegetations. List of protected animals, fish, birds were found which executes the scientific knowledge of biodiversity. In 1972, the conference on human environment in Stockholm mentioned about some principles which were very much similar to the edicts of Arthasastra. Some of the modern Indian environmental laws show amazing similarity with forms and contents of Arthasastra. In Manusmrti written by Maharshi Manu, the concept of biodiversity referred to all living forms broadly mentioned as Chara (movable living world) and Achara (immovable plant kingdom). The book described the importance of conservation. Caraka and Susrata classified lands according to the nature of the soil, climate and vegetation. Susrata classified animals on the basis of their food habits and habitats. In Ishopanishad, the concepts of sustainable development and conservation were established: “All in this manifested world consisting of moving and non-moving are covered by the Lord. Use its resources with restraint. Do not grab the property of others distant and yet to come.” The Vedic hymns, particularly those in Rig Veda, contained many notes on irrigated agriculture, river courses, dykes, water reservoirs, wells and water lifting structures. The later Vedas, especially the Ayurveda section, demonstrated profound knowledge of biodiversity. The sacred groves (Tapovana) of India were rich in biodiversity, which were mentioned in many ancient Indian documents like Abhigyan Shakuntalam written by Kalidasa. They are small packets of forests dedicated to local deities. In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna compared the world to a single banyan tree with unlimited branches in which all the species of animals, humans and demigods wander, which can reflect the concept of community ecology. The trees like Banyan and Peepal were often referred in historical background as keystone resources. Detailed studies are needed to extract and analyse the ecological and environmental perspectives of ancient Indian culture.