Inscriptions found on a series of stone pillars in rural Haryana have been identified as the 'Rta-Niti' (The Ethics of Cosmic Order), dating back to the 4th-century BCE. The text outlines a comprehensive philosophy of ecological justice, stating that the health of the community is inextricably tied to the protection of local watersheds and forests. It frames environmental stewardship not as a policy, but as a core philosophical requirement of the Vedic path.
The inscriptions detail specific 'karmic debts' incurred by those who exploit natural resources without replenishment. Scholars note that these findings suggest the ancient Vedic concept of Rta was used as a practical legal and ethical framework for sustainable living long before modern environmental movements. The pillars are currently being protected for further linguistic analysis.