उस वन को नष्ट मत करो जिस वन में बाघ विचरण करते हैं। उन बाघों को मत मारो जो वन में रहते हैं| जहाँ वन बाघों को रहने के लिए एक सुरक्षित स्थान देते हैं, वहाँ बाघ उनकी रक्षा करते हैं क्योंकि उन के डर से मनुष्य पेड़ नहीं काटते|
Do not destroy the forest where tigers roam and do not kill the tigers that live in forests. The forests provide a secure habitat to tigers and tigers in turn protect the forests by driving away people who want to cut trees.
This gem from the Mahabharata alludes to the symbiotic relationship between forests and biodiversity.The shloka advises human beings against cutting trees and killing tigers.
Every year, March 21 is celebrated as the International Day of Forests and July 29 is celebrated as International Tiger Day. It is mankind’s duty to protect our forests and biodiversity to maintain the cosmic order or Ṛta (ऋत).
