CONSERVATION THROUGH AGES

Structure
5.0 Objectives
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Consefiation: Definition
5.3 History of Conservation in Modern Times
5.4 Indian Philosophical Views
5.5 Importance of Conservation at the Present Moment
5.6 Let Us Sum Up
5.7 Keywords
5.8 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

5 0 OBJECTIVES
T h e conservatiofi of nature is a subject which has not been very well documented in our texts
concerning the environment.'The aim in this Unit, therefore, is to:

define the conservation, '

recreate brkfly the history of conservation, and
acquaint you with the importance of conservation today.

5.1 INTRODUCTION
The environmental problems, in recent years, have attracted a lot of popular and
governmental interest. As ai%**nvironmental matters have become a critical part of the
political agenda in almost every country.
Undenstandably, the environmental future of thl earth is increasingly becoming a matter of
popular preoccupation. While the degree of popular interest in global environmental
degradation may be something new, the histories of environmental concern and
conservation-arecertainly not. In this Unit we have traced the history of the conservation
efforts over time. We hope such an attempt will place the problem of conservation in the
context in which this course has been designed. It is clearly important, therefore, to try to
understand current environmental concerns in the light of a long historical perspective on
conservation.

5.2 CONSERVATION: DEFINITION

Conservation of nature does not have a universallyaccepted definition. Infact as the human
concern about nature has gro'wn so have the definitions evolved. For our purpose, however,
and especially with respect to a specific inter-relationship that seemingly exists between
tourism and environment, conservation is to be understood as the preservation bf some level
of biodiversity that is essential to the functioning of the ecosystems and the survival of the
mankind. We have also to acknowledge, with some degree of confidence, the fact that
extinction of a few varieties of life in nature and the consequent loss of biodiversity is not at
the centre of the problem.

Although we do not equate biodiversity conservation with the complete preservation of all
species nor the maintenance of the environmental status quo, we are concerned with the
current rates of resource exploitation and habitat modification which may be leading to an
excessive bio-diversity loss.
Environmentalists want environmental systems and the diversity of species conserved. But
their call is reinforced by many others who have become disillusioned with the course of
development. All are threatened by the decay of global life support systems.-Historically,
Environment Conservation people in industrialised countries have nzt percieved the importance of environmental
andEthlcs . . conservation the same way as the people in developing cohntritk have done. North,
Americans, due to their cultural history, have to glorify nature to decry its defilement and
. to propose "back to - nature" type solution. As a consequnce of their colonial history, Third
world people have tended to .be much more. concerned with the social origins and human
consequences of environmental degradation. Northern (Developed Countries)
environmentalists were shocked in 1972 by the positions taken by the South (Developing
countries) at the U.N. Conference on the human environmejlt in Stockholm..Environmental
leaders and scientists from North andsouth have learned from each other since that clash in
views through repeated discussions and teamworks in the field. The 1987 report of the World
Commision on Environment and Development reflects both views. There is a new sythesis
arising among world political leaders as well. Among the populace the differences between
North and South are diminishing. Northern workers are becoming more politically active
with respect to the danger their work has on environments, while Southern people are gaining
a broader understanding of the importance of ecological systems and processes for
economic development. Therefore, cultural differences still continue to make differences in
approches adopted by North and South on environmental conservation. "
S.

nCheck Your Progress-1

1) What is environmental conservation?

2) Describe the distinguishingfeature of North-South dialogue on environmental V e r - ' .

vation.

5 3 HISTORY OF CONSERVATION IN MODERN TIMES

Conservationof natural ecosystems and animal inhabitatshas a long and complicated history.
Modern conservation attitudes and practices have evolved largely in the context of western
society. They have been modelled definitely by the major political, economic and intellectual
revolutions that western society has experienced. These forces cantinue to shape the practice
of conservation world wide.

Western viewpoints about conservation are conditioned by basic western philosophy rooted
in the Judeo-Christianview of man and nature. It combines two ideas i.e.:

the right of exploitation, and

the responsibility of stewardship. . .,
' A fundamental Judeo-Christian belief is that nature was createdlto serve the human race. ' Conservation Through Ages
Hence, the exploitation of nature is a legitimate and natural pursuit. This view does not
endow the environment and its inhabitants with protective spirits that prohibit exploitation.
Until the beginning of the 18th century however, the rights and rewards of exploitation of the
nature lay largely in the hands of an elite aristocracy. The democratic revolutions of the late
1700s, including the American Revolution of 1775-1783and the French Revolution of 1789,
triggered a restructuring of the frame-work of most western societies. With this change
came increased access of individuals to productive resources and increased ability to use them
for improving economic and social status. The legitimate right of exploiting nature was now
extended to individuals at large in society.
At nearly the same time (the mid-1700s) the industrial and scientific revolutions began. On
the industrial side, michines and sources of energy were harnessed to enable resources to be
processed on new scales and with increased efficiency. With the steam engine came railroad
and steamship that opened new regions to exploitation.
On the scientific side, discoveries led to a revolutionary change in the basic concept of nature
in which creation overseen by God was replaced by a world that functioned according to the
operation of basic laws of physics and chemistry. The industrial and scientific revolutions
gave individuals an enormously expanded ability to exploit resources and create material
wealth.
By the middle decades of 19th century biology was undergoing a revolutionary change in its
view of the natural world i.e. the replacement of a static, creationist view of life by an evol'ting
mechanistic view. This change is best exemplified by the emergence of the theory of
evolution by natural selection, presented jointly by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace. The
concept of natural selection replaced the creationist view of the original living species with a
mechanistic process of interaction within nature. The evolutionary view also opened the
eyes of many to the fact that change in the environment, including changes caused by
humans, could bring about the extinction of many kinds of organisms, as the fossil record
demonstrated.

World War 11, suddenly diverted attention from conservation issues. It also initiated an era
of unparalleled economic expansion and explosive growth of technology and human
population. Technology provided synthetic fibers,plastics, inorganic pesticides, leaded fuels
and many of the products that sooner or later caused the introduction of toxic and
biologicallyactive materials into the environment. To this explosion of industrial technology
was added that of the hdman population. The result was exponentialgrowth in the pollution
of air, land and water by chemicals and chemical wastes. Soon, natural mechanisms of
detoxification of pollutants and static adjustment to their effect were overwhelmed by these
inputs. The limits of ecosystem function were being challenged by the chemical products of
human activity. This concern is best reflected in the amount of literature that has addressed
itself to the problem of environment. -
In this regard one could cite the following books:
Fairfield Osborn's Our Plundered Planet and William Voyd's Road to Survival, both
published in 1948; The Princeton Conference Report, Man's Role in Changing the Face of
the Earth (1958),Radiel Carson's Silent spring (1962);Jean Dorst's Auant que nature meuk
(1965); Paul Ehrlich's, The Population Bomb (1968); Denis and Donella Meadow's, The
limits to Growth (1972); Robert Heisbroner's, An Enquiry into the Human Prospect (1974).

These writings, on importance of conservation, came from men and women in many fields
like science, geography, economics, politics, etc. It waspdy-a global genre.

5.4 INDIAN PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS

We have been discussing the concerns for various aspects - scientific, technological and
-
geographical of ecological crisis facing the countries all over tho world. Now we present
before you a differentfacet: philosophical one as delt in Indian culture. Although abandoned
by Indians under colonial rule, the Indian philosophy of ecology needs to be restructured.
The Indian theory of nature and ecology is enormously affected by the theory of creation
which recognized that everp element, object and living being in the universe is created by the
same supreme being; and the man has no special dominion over nature. The Hindu religion
has enshrined respect for nature in three basic elements:

faith h God,
non-dualistic view of Purush,
Prakriti, and
a set of rules for duties and worship.

Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and other scriptures give a detailed description of trees, plants
and wildlife along with their importance to the community. Trees have been considered as
an essential part of dwelling in Indian homes. Significance of plants and trees to human life
is further exemplified in Varah Puran which advocates regular plantation as a means to
achieve heaven. In Matsyapurana and Padmapurana also there is a description of great '
plantation ceremony - Vribha Mahotsava. In Matsyapurana plantation of a tree has been
equated with progeny of ten sons.
Indians accept nature as divinity; and as such various trees and plants are used in religious
ceremonies and worship. Some trees and plants are considered so sacred that it is assumed
that particular Gods and Goddesses have made their abode in them. In Narsimha Puran
tree has been personified as God (Brahma) itself. Atharvaveda considers Peepal tree as
abode of various Gods. ~'amesof various trees cpd their associations with God and
Goddesses are given as follows:

Name of trees ' Associated GodlGoddesses

1'
1) Ashoka Buddha, Indra, Vishnu, Aditsa etc. !
2) Peepa Vishnu, Laxmi, Vana Durga etc.
3) Tulsi Ram, Narayan, Vishnu, Krishna, Jagannath, Lkmi etc.
4) Kadamba Krishna .
5) Be Shiv, Durga, Surya (sun), Laxmi
6) Vata Brahma, Vishnu, Shiv, Kal, Kubera, Krishna, etc.
I_

The various trees and plants are not only worshipped but cutting green trees has also beeq
prohibited and punishments prescribed for the offender. Indian society had been very mu&
aware of the fact that indiscriminate destruction of plants and forests would result in
diseases and pollution of the atmosphere.
To Indians, relationship with the nature and animalsis not that of dominion and subjugation
but ratber a relationship of mutual respect and kindness. As given in Yqjurveda they have
been offering prayers to all. There are various stories regarding the peaceful co-existence
of beasts and other animals in Rishis Asramas. Among all animals the worship of a cow in
Hindu family has been given a special place.
The Indian c u l t q ; in d i e n t and medieval times, provided a system of moral guidelines
towards environmentalpreservation and conservation. Environmental ethics as propounded
by ancient scripture and the seers continued to exist in society and was practised by not only
common man but even by rulers and kings. These principles were properly knitted with the
Indian way of life. Even very minor things creating environmental problems were dealt with
proper solutions.
The relationship between Indian philosophy and environment has been h t h e r discussed
in Unit 7 of this Block.

5.5 IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION AT THE

PRESENT MOMENT
Various developmental activities are rapidly destroying nature and its finely maintained and
fragile balance and interdependence created over millions of years. But by destroying nature
society is creating a basis for self destruction. The destruction of nature has gathered speed
 in the last two decades, and we are fast heading towards a complete devastation and ConservationThrough Ages
destruction of ecology. We are not on the brink of disaster;we have already entered the realm
of disaster. Man by his thoughtless acts is fast turning the globe into a large garbage heap.
- Much of'the recent industrialization and agrarian development was ill conceived, and
continues to be so. Man and society have ruthlessly robbed nature and desertified earth. But
the worst crime man and society continue to commit is to deprive the planet of its
deep-fresh-aver of dense forests. Precisely those forests that sustain man and all the living
beings and provide them with the life giving oxygen. Virtually every state and country is
involved in this criminal act - an act against the humanity. Some people do it for profit, others
in the name of providing basic necessities of life, still others purely for pleasure.

This criminal act must stop here and now, without delay. We are already late. Nature is
already over loaded and it is no more possible for it to carry the heavy weight of mans
development in this manner. The charitable nature is nearly exhausted and its time to
act atleast now.

CzIII
Check Your Progress3

1) Enumerate two main European notions of nature?

.................................................

2) Explain tdree main elements of 1ndik philosophical views on environment.

3) Explain the importance of Conservation.

Environment Conservation
and Elbics 5.6 LET US SUM UP
The ecological situation has beixme quite critical today, so critical that if we do not take
urgent steps, things will go out of control and beyond redeem. M d s various activities in all
fields of daily life, particularly the industrial and agricultural ones, are rapidly destroying
nature. By destroying ecology, man is creating conditions for self destruction.
What must we do? Obviously the question of protection and regeneration of ecology is the
question number one before the world society. The entire strategy of the future development
of civilisation has to change drastically in all the fields; otherwise our survival is out of
question.

Man, society and its institutions, for example, the government must immediately put a stop
to the destrution of forests and the larger nature and try to harmonise social development
fully with nature. Tomorrow man has to exist only on the condition of conservation and
regeneration of ecologgy. Restriction and guarantee of full protection of the environment
has to become the keyword of social development. In order to develop as "part of nature"
and not outside it, man will have to bring about fundamental changes in his industrial,
agricuftral and socio- economic political strategies. In fact the many outlook, thinking and
philosophy of man creature relationship has to drastically change, if we are to exist at all.

5.7 KEYWORDS

North : Developed Countries

South : Developing Countries

Sustainable : Without side effects .

Development : Notion that society is progressing for beterment with the help of

. .
Fossil record :
science

Record of ancient time preserved in the form of'impressions of

bones, leaves, etc. on stones & earth.
.i

5.8 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRJESSEXERCISES

rCheck Your Progress-1

1) Environment conservation means the protection of our nature. It implies that our nature
is composed of numerous kinds of flora and fauna and they all are part of a system.
Since everybody is interdependent hence it is necessary to protect everybody to ensure
human survival.

2) It is essentially a debate between 'back-to-nature' type solutions and concern with the
social origins and human consequences of environmental degradation.

rCheck Your Progress-2

1) See Sec. 5.2.

2) See Sec. 5.3. J c \

3) See Sec. 5.4.

 Conservation Through Ages

Whither Environment ?