Nature and its various aspects are embedded in the Indian culture. It lays more emphasis on the value of all created life. Animals, birds, trees, mountains, rivers form a part and parcel of the Hindu way of life. In fact, the Gods of the Hindu pantheon are associated with animals. For instance; Shiva has the Nandi or the Bull as his mount, Vishnu, The Garduda; Brahma, the Swan; Indra, the Elephant; Surya, the Horse; Durga, the Lion; Ganesha, the Rat; Muruga, the Peacock and so on. The Hindus have naturally invested the animals with an element of divinity. This association of Gods with the animal world indicate a healthy attitude towards nature. Mountains, rivers, forests, lakes, land, plants and such other things of nature also have cultural importance. The mountains of Himalayas have a great impact on the life of the Indians. As per the belief, of Hindus, Lord Shiva and His Consort Paravathi reside with Nandi on the top of the "Gowrishankar Peak" of the Himalayas. Not only the Himalayas but the other mountains are also regarded as the abode of the gods and hence held to be sacred by the Hindus. Various places of pilgrimage such as Amarnath, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Kailas are to be found in the mountains. Numerous other hills like the Tirupathi, Srishyla, Annamalai, Shabarimalai, Kodachadri, Arunadri, etc. are also venerated by the Hindus. Rivers are also equally sacred for the Hindus. They themselves represent the Goddess Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi, Kaveri, Narmada, Sindhu, Godhavari, and other rivers are all sacred for the Hindus for a dip in the waters of a river is believed to wash off all sins. River Ganga is highly sacred for the Hindus for it continues to be the wish of every Hindu to have a dip in its holy waters. The rivers are normally addressed as "mata". The trees and plants are also sacred for the Hindus. Ashwatha and the Pipal trees, and plants such as " Tulsi", "Deva Parijatha", for example are venerated even today. It is clear from the above that the Hindus have a great concern for the nature. The Hindus' concern for the environment is genuine, because man and the nature are never considered separate from one another. Nature was always considered the Mother from whom man drew his sustenance.
