for most of the evolutionary history, human societies have been organised in hunting-gathering tribes each with its own exclusive territory. this territoriality persisted in one form or the other with all indian casts until recent times (gadgil 1987). continually searching for the food man acquires the knowledge of the different landscapes surrounding him. gadgil (1996a) suggests 5000 km2 resource catchment area probably required during hunting – gathering mode of life. the resource catchment should sustain a band of about 50 – 60 people by hunting the animals and collecting edible plants. in this above said area, he might have identified different patches of landscapes and waterscape elements. as languages evolved, man gave different names to different land and waterscape elements and gathered very good deal of the knowledge about the same. to preserve the ecological wellbeing of the habitat and to extend his notion of the kinship and reciprocity he attached sacred values to the habitats.