Sacred Groves

Sacred Groves Latest News

The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) recently initiated a pilot restoration programme for sacred groves in collaboration with the local Biodiversity Management Committees.

About Sacred Groves

• A sacred grove comprises patches of natural vegetation – from a few trees to several acres – that are dedicated to local deities or tree spirits. 
• These spaces are protected by local communities because of their religious beliefs and traditional rituals that run through several generations. 
• These are some of the most valuable, primitive practices of nature conservation. 
• 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.
• The total number of sacred groves in India is more than 1,00,000. These groves are found all over the country with local names and associated deities. 
• They are particularly found in regions like:
  • The Western Ghats
  • The Himalayas
  • The northeastern hill tracts
  • Central India
• Regional Names for Sacred Groves:
  • Dev Van in Himachal Pradesh
  • Bugyal or Dev Van in Uttarakhand
  • Than and Madaico in Assam
  • Matagudi, Devgudi, or Sarana in Chhattisgarh
  • Jaherthan or Sarana in Jharkhand
  • Devarakadu in Karnataka
  • Kavu or Sarpa Kavu in Kerala
  • Kovilkaadu in Tamil Nadu
  • Devrai or Devgudi in Maharashtra
  • Law Kyntang or Asong Khosi in Meghalaya
  • Orans in Rajasthan.
  • Jahera or Thakuramma in Odisha

Source: TH

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