This book is a significant attempt to understand the roots of the environmental movement in India. Ramachandra Guha demonstrates that sensitivity towards nature in India is not merely a modern concept but is deeply rooted in centuries-old social, cultural, and economic traditions. Through the stories of nine environmentalists from Indian history, the book illustrates how ordinary people?particularly rural communities?embraced environmental conservation as a form of struggle to protect their lives and livelihoods. Guha also clarifies that Indian environmentalism differs from the Western model, as it is linked not only to the protection of nature but also to social justice and the equitable distribution of resources.