The cult of worshipping plants as a blessing from God on earth has its roots deep in the history of human civilization. Plants were considered as a solemn symbol that protected and defended man in various ways. Over the centuries, the world's first recorded conservation measures were enacted in India by emperor Ashoka.
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/feature-article/conservation-ethics-plants-india
[2] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/kavya-dashora
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/meenakshi-bhardwaj
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/anjali-gupta
[5] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/journal/indian-forester-0
[6] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/flora
[7] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/biodiversity-conservation
[8] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/religious-beliefs
[9] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/traditional-knowledge
[10] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/sacred-groves