<P> In the 3rd century BC , King Devanampiya Tissa declared the area around Mihintale , Sri Lanka as a sanctuary for wildlife , probably the first of its kind in the ancient world . According to stone inscriptions found in the vicinity , the king commanded the people not to harm animals or destroy trees within the area . </P>
<P> In the 3rd century BC , King Devanampiya Tissa declared the area around Mihintale , Sri Lanka as a sanctuary for wildlife , probably the first of its kind in the ancient world . According to stone inscriptions found in the vicinity , the king commanded the people not to harm animals or destroy trees within the area . </P>
who was the first ruler in the recorded history to order the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries
who was the first ruler in the recorded history to order the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries
King Devanampiya Tissa
King Devanampiya Tissa