... religious beliefs (sacred trees, sacred groves, etc.), and finally the orders issued by sovereigns who on the one hand protected game (such as aurochs or wisents) in their own interest, and on the other hand, protected natural resources against excessive exploitation in the interest of the general public. The latter type of rulings includes the prohibition of poaching, the protection of useful birds or restrictions imposed on logging.
It is due to the ancient religious beliefs that numerous old trees, natural reserves or forests regarded as sacred places have been preserved in many countries all over the world. As the world human population grew, the issue emerged of purposeful management of various natural resources.

The contemporary concept of environmental protection dates back to late 19th century. In Europe, it was a response to the rapid process of industrialization and urbanization, and the resultant growing air and water pollution. In the United States, it emerged as a result of concerns about the depletion of natural resources. In the 20th century, the awareness and knowledge of problems of the natural environment constantly improved. Numerous attempts were made to rescue threatened species, such as the bison. It was not until the extinction of the passenger pigeon that the supporters of environmental protection managed to attract the attention of other groups and could explain the essentials of the problem. As a result of their activities, in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson established the National Park Service, a U.S. federal agency whose task is to protect natural resources and the historical heritage of the country.
In the 1960s, the idea of environmental protection, formerly supported by individuals, became more popular and gave rise to a social movement with a precisely defined ideology. In the 1970s, a social movement called Chipko started in India. Its supporters, inspired by the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, objected to logging, literally embracing trees. Their non-violent protests and the slogan 'ecology is permanent economy' proved to be very influential. In the mid 1970s, many people believed that the world was on the edge of an ecological catastrophe. In 1979, the former employee of NASA, scientist James Lovelock, published his book Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth, explaining the Gaia hypothesis. According to the hypothesis, life on Earth is an efficient system that will survive regardless or even in spite of human activities. This theory gave foundations to the ideology of deep ecology. The 'return to Earth' movement was formed, ecologists began to co-operate with opponents to the Vietnam War. Many of them, living outside society, undertook actions motivated by ever more radical theories such as deep ecology. The further history of environmental protection abounds in debates and conflicts between the participants of radical and mainstream groups within the ecological movement.
Environmental protection today also faces the issues of global warming and rapid advancements in genetic engineering.