Srimad-Bhagavatam: Canto 6 - Chapter 1 - Verse 7


Sanskrit:

न द्रुमेभ्यो महाभागा दीनेभ्यो द्रोग्धुमर्हथ ।विवर्धयिषवो यूयं प्रजानां पतय: स्मृता: ॥ ७ ॥

ITRANS:

na drumebhyo mahā-bhāgādīnebhyo drogdhum arhathavivardhayiṣavo yūyaṁprajānāṁ patayaḥ smṛtāḥ

Translation:

O greatly fortunate ones, you should not kill these poor trees by burning them to ashes. Your duty is to wish the citizens [prajās] all prosperity and to act as their protectors.

Purport:

It is indicated herein that the government or king has the duty of protecting not only the human beings, but all other living entities, including animals, trees and plants. No living entity should be killed unnecessarily.