MEV 017: Unit 01 – Environmental Policy in Pre-Independent India

-

 UNIT 1: ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN PRE-INDEPENDENT INDIA

1.1 Introduction

The concept of environmental protection is not new to India. Long before modern environmental laws were framed, ancient Indian traditions, cultural values, and religious beliefs emphasized the conservation of nature. However, it was during British colonial rule that formal environmental policies and laws began to emerge, primarily focusing on the control and management of natural resources for administrative and economic interests.

This unit explores the key environment-related policies and acts passed in pre-independent India, highlighting both indigenous practices and colonial legislation that laid the foundation for environmental governance in modern India.

1.2 Objectives

By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

  • Understand the traditional wisdom and indigenous environmental practices of ancient India.
  • Identify key legislative measures enacted by the British government concerning environmental protection.
  • Evaluate the motives and implications of pre-independence forest and resource laws.
  • Analyze the historical context behind environmental regulations in colonial India.

1.3 Traditional Wisdom and Indigenous Practices

In pre-colonial India, communities lived in harmony with nature, guided by customary laws, religious beliefs, and moral duties:

  • Forests were sacred, and many communities worshipped trees, rivers, and animals.
  • The concept of 'Dharma' emphasized respect for all forms of life.
  • Agricultural practices included crop rotation, water harvesting, and organic fertilization.
  • Communities had customary rules for resource sharing and conservation, such as sacred groves (devrai) and community forests.

These indigenous systems were localized, adaptive, and sustainable, with strong community participation and social accountability.

1.4 The Indian Penal Code, 1860

The Indian Penal Code (IPC), enacted in 1860, was India’s first codified criminal law and contained provisions relevant to environmental protection:

  • Section 268: Defined public nuisance, which includes environmental harm like foul smells, pollution, or blocking public water supplies.
  • Section 277: Penalized fouling of public water sources, such as wells and rivers.
  • Section 278: Addressed pollution of the air that makes it harmful to health.
  • Section 290 & 291: Dealt with punishments for public nuisances not specifically covered elsewhere.

Though not environmental laws in essence, these sections helped curb basic pollution and public health hazards.

1.5 The Indian Forest Act, 1865

The Indian Forest Act of 1865 was the first formal legislation to bring forests under the control of the British government. Its key features included:

  • Allowed the government to declare any land as a government forest.
  • Aimed at securing timber for railways and shipbuilding.
  • Marked the beginning of state monopoly over forest resources, undermining the rights of forest-dwelling communities.

This act focused more on resource extraction than on conservation or ecological protection.

1.6 The Indian Forest Act, 1878

The 1878 Act expanded and formalized the provisions of the 1865 Act:

  • Classified forests into Reserved, Protected, and Village Forests.
  • Severely restricted the traditional rights of local communities.
  • Empowered the Forest Department to control access to forest resources.
  • Encouraged commercial exploitation of timber and forest produce.

This act had a significant ecological impact, as people were alienated from their lands, leading to conflicts and degradation.

1.7 Forest Policy, 1894

The Forest Policy of 1894 was the first official policy statement on forest management in India. Its key points included:

  • Emphasized forests as revenue sources rather than ecological assets.
  • Prioritized agricultural expansion and commercial timber use over conservation.
  • Continued to undermine community forest management systems.

While it acknowledged the role of forests in climate regulation, the economic motive dominated policy implementation.

1.8 The Indian Fisheries Act, 1897

This act was one of the earliest efforts to regulate fishing and protect aquatic life:

  • Empowered the government to prohibit the use of destructive fishing methods like poison or explosives.
  • Allowed states to set closed seasons, minimum fish sizes, and designated protected areas.
  • Though limited in enforcement, it laid a foundation for fisheries management in India.

1.9 The Indian Ports Act, 1908

This act aimed at regulating and managing ports across British India. Though not directly focused on the environment, it had environmental implications:

  • Covered issues like marine safety, waste disposal, and navigation control.
  • Provided authorities with powers to maintain cleanliness in ports.
  • Addressed some early aspects of coastal environmental management.

1.10 The Indian Forest Act, 1927

The 1927 Forest Act consolidated earlier forest laws and remains influential even today. Key features included:

  • Reclassification and further expansion of Reserved and Protected Forests.
  • Detailed provisions for timber harvesting, forest offenses, and penalties.
  • Reinforced the idea of state ownership and control over forests.
  • Provided mechanisms for settlement of rights, but often excluded customary usage.

This act was seen as a colonial tool to control forest resources, marginalizing indigenous forest communities.

1.11 Let Us Sum Up

Environmental governance in pre-independent India evolved from traditional ecological wisdom to colonial laws focused on control and resource extraction. Key takeaways include:

  • Indigenous practices promoted sustainable use and conservation.
  • The British introduced legislation such as the IPC, Forest Acts, and Fisheries Act primarily for administrative and commercial gains.
  • The Indian Forest Act of 1927 remains a cornerstone of forest legislation, although it carries colonial biases.
  • These early laws laid a foundation—albeit flawed—for post-independence environmental policy development.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Jcert Class 8 Daffodil Chapter 1a: The Naive Friends Solutions

-
Chapter 1a : The Naive Friends Answer the following questions: 1. Which questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg? Ans.         How did the chick come out? How big would the eggs? How many? What colours would they? What did they eat? Such types of questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg. 2. What three things did the children do to protect the eggs? Ans.         The children done three things are: (i)          Adjustment of food. (ii)        Adjustment of water. (iii)      Adjustment of roof. 3. Why did Keshav think of making a cushion for the eggs? Ans.         When Keshav saw the egg on direct sun light, he thaught making a cushion for the eggs. 4. What excuse did Keshav give for not showing the eggs to Shyama? Ans.     ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 3 मित्रता Solutions

-
अध्याय - 3 : मित्रता 1. आप किस प्रकार कह सकते हैं कि मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है? उ. मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है क्योंकि संगति का गुप्त प्रभाव हमारे आचरण पर पड़ता है और यदि हमें अच्छी संगति, अच्छे मित्र मिलते हैं तो वे हमें सफलता की ओर ले जाते हैं जबकि बुरी संगति हमारे जीवन को खाक में मिला देती है।  2. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है।' आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए। उ. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है'- ऐसा इसलिए कहा गया है कि यदि हमें विश्वासी मित्र मिल गया तो हम अपने जीवन में चाहे जैसा भी कदम उठाएँ, उस कदम की आलोचना करके वह हमें सही दिशा की ओर उन्मुख करेगा। हम अपनी गलती रूपी बीमारी को उसकी आलोचना रूपी औषधि से दूर कर सकेंगे।  3. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें किन बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए? उ. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें निम्नलिखित बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए हमारे अच्छे विचारों (संकल्पों) को दृढ़ करने वाला हो। हमें दोषों और त्रुटियों से बचाए। हमारे सत्य, पवित्रता ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 8 अमरूद का पेड Solutions

-
अध्याय - 8 : अमरूद का पेड 1. लेखक को क्यों लगता है कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा। उ. अमरूद के पेड़ को देखकर सबसे पहले बाबू कन्हैयालाल की बूढ़ी पत्नी ने एक दिन टोका कि पश्चिम की तरफ अगर मकान का मुखड़ा हो और सामने ही अमरूद का पेड़ तो 'राम-राम बड़ा अशुभ होता है और माँ के चेहरे पर थोड़ा-सा भय दिखा पर लेखक को विश्वास था कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा क्योंकि उसके घर के लोग आधुनिक विचारधारा के थे उसकी माँ सत्याग्रह के दिनों में अजमेर में लम्बा जेल कर चुकी है। पिताजी खुद राजनैतिक सामाजिक उदारता वाले आदमी थे। बुआ ने विवाह नहीं किया था, पढ़ने-लिखने में ही अपनी सम्पूर्ण जिन्दगी लगा दी और समाज कोई चुनौती देने का साहस नहीं कर सका। साथ ही परिवार के सभी लोगों में पिछड़ेपन के प्रति भर्त्सना का भाव था। 2. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया किस प्रकार लेखक को उनके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है ? उ. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया लेखक को उसके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है। वे सभी अमरूद की छाया में बेंत की कुर्सियों पर बैठ चर्चाएँ करते थे जिससे उनके बीच...
Read more