A set of copper plates dating to the 4th century BCE, known as the 'Niti-Kosh' (Treasury of Ethics), has been unearthed in the Damodar Valley. The plates contain a series of ethical injunctions regarding the stewardship of natural resources, particularly forests and water bodies, framing them as a 'Common Heritage' (Samanya-Dhana) rather than private property.
The 'Niti-Kosh' provides a philosophical rationale for sustainable living, grounded in the belief that the Earth is a living entity whose 'health' is directly linked to the moral standing of its inhabitants. This discovery is being hailed as one of the oldest recorded examples of environmental philosophy in the world.