ABSTRACT
Jainism has no concept of creator or hierarchy, simply, all life forms are considered equal. In Jain beliefs, Ahimsa is the central tenet for wildlife conservation. Jainism teaches ethics of Ahimsa that can be practised by following five precautions: preservation of speech (Vagupati), preservation of mind (Manogupti), care in walking (Irya), care in picking and laying things (Adana-niksepana) and taking care in eating and drinking (Alokitapana-bhojana). Jainism and its roots in conservation have existed in India for over two millennia. Accounts of Jains entering the political arena to advocate for animal protection are aplenty. The most notable account was that of the Svetambara monk Hiravijaya, who convinced the Mughal emperor Akbar to order a prohibition on the killing of animals around the sacred places and on festive days of the Jains.
