Nature and Hinduism are so intertwined that it is quite impossible to think about one without the other. The need for an ecological balance is stressed in the Ved and Upanishad and this message is repeated in the Raamaayan, Mahaabhaarat, Geetaa, Puraan and in the messages of Hindu saints. Mother Nature has always been worshipped in Hindu religion, but for majority of Hindu, worship is confined to temples and homes and thus they are equal contributors in global warming, pollution and emissions. Here are a few thoughts which ancient seers of Sanaatan Dharm had shared more than 5,000 years ago regarding the importance of nature and majority of them are still relevant today.

(1) One should not destroy the trees. (Rig Ved Samhitaa, 6-48-17)
(2) Plants are mothers and Goddesses. (Rig Ved Sanhitaa, 10-97-4)
(3) Trees are homes and mansions. (Rig Ved Sanhitaa, 10-97-5)
(4) Sacred grass has to be protected from man's exploitation (Rig Ved Sanhitaa 7-75-8)
(5) Plants and waters are treasures for generations. (Rig Ved Sanhitaa 7-70-4)

Earth, in which lie the sea, the river and other waters, in which food and cornfields have come to be, in which lives all that breathes and that moves, may she confer on us the finest of her yield. Earth, in which the waters, common to all, moving on all sides, flow unfailingly, day and night, may she pour on us milk in many streams, and endow us with luster. (Atharv Ved, Hymn to the Earth - Bhoomi Sookt)

May those born of thee, O Earth, be for our welfare, free from sickness and waste, wakeful through a long life, we shall become bearers of tribute to thee. Earth my mother, set me securely with bliss in full accord with heaven, O wise one, uphold me in grace and splendor. (Atharv Ved - Hymn to the Earth - Bhoomi Sookt)

--Earth, atmosphere, sky, Sun, Moon, stars, waters, plants, trees, moving creatures, swimming creatures, creeping creatures all are hailed and offered oblations. (Taittireeya Sanhitaa, 1-8-13)
--One should protect the  habitation. (Rig Ved Sanhitaa 6-71-3)
--Waters as friends of man give full protection to his progenies. (Rig Ved Sanhitaa 6-50-7)
--One shall take care of quadrupeds. (Taittireeya Sanhitaa, 4-4-10)
--One shall be auspicious to animals. (Taittireeya Sanhitaa 2-3-14)
--One shall not find fault with animals. (Chhaandogya Upanishad 2-18-2)
--Waters represent splendor. (Atharv Ved Sanhitaa 3-13-5)
--Waters bear off all defilements and cleanse people. (Vaajasaneya Sanhitaa 4-2)

--Whoever injures the essence of food, kine or steeds is a robber who sinks both himself and his offspring into destruction. (Rig Ved Sanhitaa 7-104-10)
--Offerings are dedicated to waters of wells, pools, clefts, holes, lakes, morasses, ponds, tanks, marshes, rains, rime, streams, rivers and ocean. (Taittireeya Samhita 7-4-13)
--There was only water in the beginning. (Brihadaaranyak Upanishad 5-5-1)
--Waters and herbs should have no poison. (Rig Ved Sanhitaa 6-39-5)
--Waters are to be freed from defilement. (Atharv Ved Sanhitaa 10-5-24)
--Waters cleanse humanity from the evil of pollution committed by it. (Atharv Ved Sanhitaa 12-2-40)
--Waters are healing and they strengthen one to see great joy. (Taittireeya Sanhitaa 7-4-19)

The Mahaqbhaqrat says that "even if there is only one tree full of flowers and fruits in a village, that place becomes worthy of worship and respect. No religion, perhaps, lays as much emphasis on environmental ethics as does Hinduism. It believes in ecological responsibility and says like Native Americans that the Earth is our mother. It champions protection of animals, which it considers also have souls, and promotes vegetarianism. It has a strong tradition of non-violence or A-Hinsaa. It believes that God is present in all nature, in all creatures, and in every human being regardless of their faith or lack of it."
Courtesy: Quotes from Ved as found in the articles of S Kannan and Karan Singh