Vedic civilisation

Vedic civilisation is the period when the ancient vedas were composed.(1500 BC-600 BC)

All ancient texts have some reference to the trees and forest activities.The ethics of vedas reflects our ancestors spiritualistic visions.Starting from the days of vedas to the pot vedic and puranic times economic coniousness,natural resources, biodiversity conservation, were intrinsic features of the hindu religion rituals and practices.Both production and protective

aspects of the forests were emphasized in vedic forestory.

Atharav-veda (Aranya to preethivi sayo namastu) goes on to pray that the forests and plants on earth should have pleasing effect on people and Taitariya Brahamana says:

Varmhavan Vrahmsh Vriksh AAaso Yato Dhava Prithivi Nisttatakshu (Trees, space, and earth are also endowed with the merits of supreme divinity).

Sustainability was ingrained in the thought process of ancient india, it is evident from the atharvana veda prose

Whatever I dig from thee, Earth,

may that have quick growth again.

O purifier, may we not injure thy vitals or thy heart.

Of the samhitas below metioned are important from the forestry tradition.

Aranyaka means "belonging to the wilderness"

The Aranyakas contain Brahmana-style discussion of especially dangerous rituals such as the Mahavrata and Pravargya, and therefore this sruti had to be learned in the wilderness.Aranyakas discussed rites deemed "not suitable" for the village.These were the rules laid down for the sadhus or vanaprasthas living in the wilderness as Hermitage.

Some of the description laid down are relevant to the indegenous ecological knowledge.

Upanishad Brahadaranyaka(Great forest text)

Ramayana and mahabharata have enough references to forests

The Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana tells the story of Prithu:Son of evil king vena.The legend is that Prithu milked her using Manu as a calf, and received all vegetation and grain as her milk, in his hands for welfare of humanity. Before Prithu's reign, there was "no cultivation, no pasture, no agriculture, no highway for merchants", all civilization emerged in Prithu's rule.

Forests and forestry

Vedic traditions affirms that every village will be complete only when certain type of forest vegetation or tree are preserved.

Mahavan:- or the great natural forest is perhaps equivalent to the Protected areas.It adjoins the village and provides a place where all species can co-exist

Shrivana:-or the forest of wealth or prosperity.This could be in the form of mono specific plantation or species mix of many species(agro forestry).This is equivalent to todays "production forests" and it provide the essential goods and services to humans and live stock(fodder, medicine,roots,timber)besides maintaining soil fertility,air and water quality as well as providing shelter.Once some kind of forest was cleared, the vedic culture emphasised that another forest be grown.

Tapovan:-or the forest of religion.-the home of sages. Being sacred, no animal or trees could be harmed in these forests.This is specifically set aside for religious practices.

Later vedic period (from 500 bc) and middle kingdom(230 bs -1279 ad)

Later vedic period signifies emergence of agriculture as the dominant activity with a decline in cattle rearing.Numerous trees and groves exemplifying the bond between Indians and trees is available in the writings from this period.Some texts of this age are:-

Varahamihira's Brhat samhita(700 AD) describes relation between irrigation tanks and trees.Varahamihira provided detailed technical instructions on tank construction and prescription on species to be planted on the embarkments.

Krishi parashara- Agriculture by parasara(400 bC)

Manusmriti-LAws of manu(200bc - 200 AD)

Agni purana- Epic of fire(700 - 800 AD) , stated that man should protect trees to have material gains and religious blessings.

Kashyapiya krishiukti- treaties on agriculture by kashyap (800 ad)

Surapala' Vrikhayurveda 1000 AD) science of plant life by surapala.

Sacred trees grooves and landscape:-

Hindus idea is that to keep the world as it is we have to keep the forest intact.This gave rise to the cultural landscapes such as forests and groves,sacred corridors and a variety of ethno forestrypractices that mirror the ecosystem like concepts in traditional societies.In post vedic period this practice continued. Example:-

temple forests,

monastery forest

sanctified and consecrated forest

sacred trees, forests,grove and the like.