Conservation of the natural environiment In chosun-Dynasty, Korea, is analysed on the basis of the of official records of the king's offices(Chosun-wangjo-sillok). In the popular ideologies of the dynasty, Seongleehak(philosophy of humanity arid natural laws) and Pungsu (geomancy) , the naturnal enviroment is defined as an entity con-sisting of Cheon (heaven) , San(mnountains) , Su (water), Geumsu (animals)and Chomok (plants) .the notion of Tacksi-Tackmul(being careful to take natural resources at the right time) was one of the Cheonmyung (eavenly decrees) . It was believed that violation of this principle resulted in natural disasters. Sasan(four mountains surrounding Hansungbu-, the capital city, now Seoul) , were strictly preserved according to geomancy practices. In areas other than the capital city, Sanlimcheontack (mountains, forests, rivers and ponds) were con-served for sustained production of building materials especially pinetrees for ship building, foods, firewoods, horses, and orter useful natural resources. Various conservation policy insturuments were adopted. Prunning trees was permitted only in October. Capturing fishes was allowed only after the spawning period. Protection areas were designated in Sasan, Seongjoesiplee (surroundings of the capital city) , Geumsan(protected mountains), Kangmujang(hunting and army training grounds), Sijang(firewood areas), Mokmajang(horse ranches) and Neungyuk(royal tombs) . Activities prohibited for conservation purposes included cutting timbers, burning, building houses or tombs, dumping wastes, farming and breaking up fresh land, grazing, hunting and trespassing. Positive actions for conservation were rituals to Heaven ennoblement of natural elements such as mountians or rivers, planting trees, Boto (supplementing soil on low ridges) , Josan (mounding) and making ponds. Boto, Josan and making ponds were to make ideal terrains for geomancy. Many government bodies and civil servants were engaged in the conservation activities. For example, Sanjik(forest keeper) was a special position with responsibility for forest management.