What are Sacred Groves?

What Are Sacred Groves?

Sacred Groves are small patches of forests or natural vegetation that are protected by local communities due to their religious and cultural significance. These areas are often dedicated to local deities and serve as both ecological sanctuaries and sites of spiritual reverence.

• They act as repositories of biodiversity, sheltering rare plant and animal species.
• Hunting and deforestation are usually prohibited, while sustainable activities such as honey collection or gathering deadwood are permitted.

Sacred Groves in India

Sacred groves are scattered across India but are particularly found in regions like:

• The Western Ghats
• The Himalayas
• The northeastern hill tracts
• Central India

Regional Names for Sacred Groves:

• Sarna in Bihar
• Dev Van in Himachal Pradesh
• Devarakadu in Karnataka
• Kavu or Sarpa Kavu in Kerala
• Devrai or Deorai in Maharashtra
• Law Kyntang or Asong Khosi in Meghalaya
• Oran in Rajasthan

Examples of Success:

• Piplantri Village, Rajasthan: Known for planting 111 trees for every girl child born. This initiative has enhanced local income, reduced female foeticide, and empowered women’s self-help groups.

Q1.What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microbes) interacting with each other and their physical environment (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, and atmosphere). It is a functional unit of interrelated components, where the living and non-living elements interact and exchange materials.

News: Formulate policy to manage sacred groves, Supreme Court tells Centre - The Hindu