Environmental History of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Environmental history is one of the basic prerequisite to understand the environmental studies. Many distinguished historians and authors have tried to write their viewpoints about the historical perspective of enviroment in India. Indian subcontinent is looked in its entirety because of its natural boundary of Himalays in the North and Sea shores in the South. Such a strategic location is rarely found elsewhere and this has blessed Indian subcontinent to evolve very differently. Indus valley civilization marks the beginning of the environment history where people got displaced due to shifting rivers and drying water resources. Ganga valley provided shelter to the Aryans from Central Asia whereas Dravids migrated and settled to far south. With various clashes of clans residing in Central Asia, a branch speaking Devnagri or language of the Gods evolved into Sanskrit speaking Vedic civilization. With its mystical means of transmitting unwritten knowledge, Vedic culture preserved its knowledge but lost its past because no monuments could be found related to Vedas. Late Vedic period saw the emergence of Budhhism and Jainsim which did not last long and slowly modified Vedic culture known as Brahminical culture came to flourish. This culture coopted many things from Buddhism and Jainism and influenced the belief system of forest dwellers in South India, Deccan and Dravid. With downfall of Vedic counties or Mahajanapads and attack from different rulers of Central Asia, ethnic diversity increased in India. Portuguese sailor Vaso-da-Gama first landed in India and later Portuguese merchants brought with them many exotic species like potato and tomato in India. Abbasid caliphates supported Muslim traders in Indian coasts. Later Turks and Mongols like Babar who patronised Islam established Delhi Sultanate in India. They conquered far south and far west but later succumbed to British policies like Doctrine of Lapse and advanced military weapons. First environment movement occured against Mughal ruler in Rajasthan led by Bishnoi community which resisted tree cutting by the kingsmen and laid their lives. Britishers under East India company exploited the Indian forest natural resources for developing roads, railways and monuments. They brought in many legislations to protect forest from local people. With 1857 revolt, British Raj was established under the Queen. Due to racism and exploitation, increased resentment against British in India forced them to declare independence in 1947. But, the partition of India ravaged the already reeling situation due to famines and drought. Post independence, many environmental reforms and legislations were brought in with time to protect the environment. Lets see what are these events.