Methods of Protecting Biodiversity in Sangam Literature

சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் உயிரினப் பன்மயத்தைப் பாதுகாக்கும் வழிமுறைகள்

Abstract

"In ancient Tamil land, protecting plants and animals was considered a primary duty. Ancient worship rituals gave importance to trees such as neem, banyan, and peepal. Trees, seen as living entities, were believed to house deities, and ‘tree worship’ rituals were performed. Various living creatures including elephants, peacocks, snakes, monkeys, goats, and chickens were worshipped by associating them with the divine. It is remarkable how ancient people recognized the medicinal properties of trees long before modern scientists did. It is worth researching whether this belief was the reason ancient people valued biodiversity protection. This article discusses biodiversity conservation as referenced in Sangam literature."