Ancient Indian literature was the reflection of the bond between humans and nature, especially women and nature. Classical literature depics this bond skilfully. For instance in Abhijana - shakuntalam, the great poet Kalidasa showed how Shakuntala nurtured an intense relationship with the environment—trees, animals and forest.

In the Rig Veda, the forest goddess Aranyani is presented as the protector of forest. She is the protector of flora and fauna. This concept of representation of forest by a female deity can be seen in most of India’s forest region. Indian women, the ‘Aranyani Sukta’, and forest conservation — these three are interrelated.

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