The core teaching of Hinduism is that everything is God. Everything should be revered. The smallest animal and tallest tree, to the longest river and mightiest mountain, the stars and planets – all are manifestations of the Supreme Truth. Therefore Hindus worship different aspects of environment.
Traditional Hindu views on the environment ask people to consider Nature as Mother and protect her. But how many of us Hindus are really bothered about protecting nature?
An article in the latest edition of Hinduism Today Magazine discusses the topic of Hinduism and Environment.
When it comes to traditional Hindu views on the environment, one statement for the Ishavasya Upanishad sums up the reverential attitude Hindus are urged to take. In English it reads, "The entire universe is to be looked upon as the Lord." That means that there is everything in existence is essentially, practically and metaphorically, connected together. Everything is seen as aspects of Divinity--humans, animals, plants, rivers, mountains, the Earth, the Universe and everything in it. Scripturally, these are seen as parts of God's body.