Ecocide refers to the most extreme forms of environmental destruction caused by human action, characterized by unlawful or wanton acts committed with the knowledge that they will likely cause severe, widespread, or long-term damage to the environment.
- Origin: The term was coined in 1970 by Prof. Arthur W. Galston to describe the massive devastation caused by the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
- First Codification: Vietnam became the first country to codify ecocide in its domestic law in 1990, following its experience with wartime herbicides.
- Global Adoption: Several nations, including Russia, Ukraine, Chile, France, and Belgium, have already incorporated ecocide or equivalent terms into their national legal systems.
Source: The Indian Express