Yojana Magazine April 2024 - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


27 April 2024
he rig veda, (1700-1100 Bce) an 
ancient collection of Hindu hymns, 
mentions tree worship, which might 
be linked to the concept of sacred 
groves. generally, sacred groves are small forest 
patches conserved by local people through 
religious beliefs, traditional sentiments, and taboos 
(r amakrishna 1997) and are repositories of many 
threatened species; they are popularly called 
living biological heritage sites as they contain rich 
“Very little has been published regarding sacred groves in India, but they 
are, or rather were, very numerous…these…as a rule, are not touched by 
the axe, except when wood is wanted for the repair of religious buildings.’’
– D Brandis (1887)
First Inspector General of Forest of India
diversity. t he existence of sacred groves took place 
all over the world, including in india as well as in Asia, 
Africa, europe, Australia, and America (Hughes and 
chandra, 1998)  i t is estimated that the total number 
of sacred groves in india is likely to be more than  
1.5 lakh (Malhotra et al. 2001).  However, 14000+ 
sacred groves have been enumerated in different 
states. they have different vernacular names 
in rural and tribal areas.  For example, in  sikkim 
popularly known as ‘gumpas’; Kave in kerala; orans 
T
DR SAnKARARAO muDADlA
the author is a Scientist-d, Botanical Survey of india, MoefCC, deccan regional Centre, Kendriya Sadan, Koti, hyderabad-20, 
(telangana). email: mudadlas2021@gmail.com
sacre D GroVes
Page 2


27 April 2024
he rig veda, (1700-1100 Bce) an 
ancient collection of Hindu hymns, 
mentions tree worship, which might 
be linked to the concept of sacred 
groves. generally, sacred groves are small forest 
patches conserved by local people through 
religious beliefs, traditional sentiments, and taboos 
(r amakrishna 1997) and are repositories of many 
threatened species; they are popularly called 
living biological heritage sites as they contain rich 
“Very little has been published regarding sacred groves in India, but they 
are, or rather were, very numerous…these…as a rule, are not touched by 
the axe, except when wood is wanted for the repair of religious buildings.’’
– D Brandis (1887)
First Inspector General of Forest of India
diversity. t he existence of sacred groves took place 
all over the world, including in india as well as in Asia, 
Africa, europe, Australia, and America (Hughes and 
chandra, 1998)  i t is estimated that the total number 
of sacred groves in india is likely to be more than  
1.5 lakh (Malhotra et al. 2001).  However, 14000+ 
sacred groves have been enumerated in different 
states. they have different vernacular names 
in rural and tribal areas.  For example, in  sikkim 
popularly known as ‘gumpas’; Kave in kerala; orans 
T
DR SAnKARARAO muDADlA
the author is a Scientist-d, Botanical Survey of india, MoefCC, deccan regional Centre, Kendriya Sadan, Koti, hyderabad-20, 
(telangana). email: mudadlas2021@gmail.com
sacre D GroVes
28 April 2024
in rajasthan.  Andhra Pradesh and telangana 
Popularly known as ‘Pavitra vanalu/rakshita 
vanalu /Devata vanalu’ .
t ypes of s acred Groves
Based on the deities, cultural, and the religious 
importance, and their association.
1. temple Groves: these groves are associated 
with temples due to their religious 
importance; generally, they are protected by 
the government, the temple trust, or village 
committees. t hey often contain a wide variety 
of plants and animals. examples: Ficus, neem, 
and t amarind tree.
2. traditional sacred Groves: these are the 
places where the folk deities reside, i.e., 
Potharaju, Yellamma, Polamma, Maridimma in 
Andhra Pradesh, sammakka-sarakka grama 
Devathalu in t elangana, Kavus in Kerala, gumpa 
groves in sikkim, etc. t hey often contain a rich 
variety of plant and animal life. 
3. religious Groves: Where they are associated 
with Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, islamism, 
and sikhism. traditionally, these are protected 
by local communities through religious beliefs 
and customs, rather than by formal government 
legislation.
4. island Groves: island groves can be categorised 
based on the habitat type-specific ecological 
importance, for example, mangroves and 
coastal/reverie areas in Andhra Pradesh.
5. Burial/Cremational/memorial Groves: groves 
associated with burial places are popularly 
called cremational/Memorial groves. those 
groves are seen as places of reverence for the 
deceased and are believed to be inhabited 
by the spirits of ancestors. they may serve a 
spiritual or religious purpose, protected as a way 
to honour the dead and maintain a connection 
with them. For example, in Deherze village of 
vikramgad taluka in t hane district, there were 
over 85 stones dedicated to family members of 
the villagers.
significance of s acred Groves
1. protection of ecosystems: sacred groves 
often serve as protected areas, safeguarding 
biodiversity by restricting human activities that 
can harm the environment.
2. traditional Knowledge: Local communities 
that manage sacred groves often possess a 
deep understanding of the local ecology and 
traditional practices that have been passed 
down through generations. this knowledge 
can be valuable for informing conservation 
efforts for future generations.
3. Biodiversity Conservation: sacred groves 
can act as refuge for a wide range of plant 
and animal species, especially in areas where 
habitat loss is a major threat. Biodiversity 
conservation practices associated with sacred 
groves often lead to sustainable management 
of natural resources and the maintenance of 
biodiversity.
4. Cultural preservation: sacred groves are 
important repositories of cultural and religious 
practices of local communities. t hey are often 
seen as the dwelling places of deities or spirits, 
and are used for religious ceremonies and 
rituals.
5. Community empowerment: sacred groves 
are often managed by local communities. 
supporting the conservation of these areas can 
help to empower these communities and give 
them a greater role in decision-making about 
their natural resources.
6. environmental Benefits: t hey play a vital role 
in maintaining the ecological balance of an 
area. t he trees and other vegetation in sacred 
Page 3


27 April 2024
he rig veda, (1700-1100 Bce) an 
ancient collection of Hindu hymns, 
mentions tree worship, which might 
be linked to the concept of sacred 
groves. generally, sacred groves are small forest 
patches conserved by local people through 
religious beliefs, traditional sentiments, and taboos 
(r amakrishna 1997) and are repositories of many 
threatened species; they are popularly called 
living biological heritage sites as they contain rich 
“Very little has been published regarding sacred groves in India, but they 
are, or rather were, very numerous…these…as a rule, are not touched by 
the axe, except when wood is wanted for the repair of religious buildings.’’
– D Brandis (1887)
First Inspector General of Forest of India
diversity. t he existence of sacred groves took place 
all over the world, including in india as well as in Asia, 
Africa, europe, Australia, and America (Hughes and 
chandra, 1998)  i t is estimated that the total number 
of sacred groves in india is likely to be more than  
1.5 lakh (Malhotra et al. 2001).  However, 14000+ 
sacred groves have been enumerated in different 
states. they have different vernacular names 
in rural and tribal areas.  For example, in  sikkim 
popularly known as ‘gumpas’; Kave in kerala; orans 
T
DR SAnKARARAO muDADlA
the author is a Scientist-d, Botanical Survey of india, MoefCC, deccan regional Centre, Kendriya Sadan, Koti, hyderabad-20, 
(telangana). email: mudadlas2021@gmail.com
sacre D GroVes
28 April 2024
in rajasthan.  Andhra Pradesh and telangana 
Popularly known as ‘Pavitra vanalu/rakshita 
vanalu /Devata vanalu’ .
t ypes of s acred Groves
Based on the deities, cultural, and the religious 
importance, and their association.
1. temple Groves: these groves are associated 
with temples due to their religious 
importance; generally, they are protected by 
the government, the temple trust, or village 
committees. t hey often contain a wide variety 
of plants and animals. examples: Ficus, neem, 
and t amarind tree.
2. traditional sacred Groves: these are the 
places where the folk deities reside, i.e., 
Potharaju, Yellamma, Polamma, Maridimma in 
Andhra Pradesh, sammakka-sarakka grama 
Devathalu in t elangana, Kavus in Kerala, gumpa 
groves in sikkim, etc. t hey often contain a rich 
variety of plant and animal life. 
3. religious Groves: Where they are associated 
with Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, islamism, 
and sikhism. traditionally, these are protected 
by local communities through religious beliefs 
and customs, rather than by formal government 
legislation.
4. island Groves: island groves can be categorised 
based on the habitat type-specific ecological 
importance, for example, mangroves and 
coastal/reverie areas in Andhra Pradesh.
5. Burial/Cremational/memorial Groves: groves 
associated with burial places are popularly 
called cremational/Memorial groves. those 
groves are seen as places of reverence for the 
deceased and are believed to be inhabited 
by the spirits of ancestors. they may serve a 
spiritual or religious purpose, protected as a way 
to honour the dead and maintain a connection 
with them. For example, in Deherze village of 
vikramgad taluka in t hane district, there were 
over 85 stones dedicated to family members of 
the villagers.
significance of s acred Groves
1. protection of ecosystems: sacred groves 
often serve as protected areas, safeguarding 
biodiversity by restricting human activities that 
can harm the environment.
2. traditional Knowledge: Local communities 
that manage sacred groves often possess a 
deep understanding of the local ecology and 
traditional practices that have been passed 
down through generations. this knowledge 
can be valuable for informing conservation 
efforts for future generations.
3. Biodiversity Conservation: sacred groves 
can act as refuge for a wide range of plant 
and animal species, especially in areas where 
habitat loss is a major threat. Biodiversity 
conservation practices associated with sacred 
groves often lead to sustainable management 
of natural resources and the maintenance of 
biodiversity.
4. Cultural preservation: sacred groves are 
important repositories of cultural and religious 
practices of local communities. t hey are often 
seen as the dwelling places of deities or spirits, 
and are used for religious ceremonies and 
rituals.
5. Community empowerment: sacred groves 
are often managed by local communities. 
supporting the conservation of these areas can 
help to empower these communities and give 
them a greater role in decision-making about 
their natural resources.
6. environmental Benefits: t hey play a vital role 
in maintaining the ecological balance of an 
area. t he trees and other vegetation in sacred 
29 April 2024
groves help to prevent soil erosion and provide 
clean air.
7. Community Conservation: t he core principle 
of community conservation is protecting 
biodiversity, preserving natural resources, and 
managing natural resources sustainably for 
future preservation. it can also lead to a number 
of other benefits, such as improved livelihoods 
for local communities, increased food security, 
and enhanced cultural preservation.
s. n o. name of the s tate s acred Grove l ocal name number of s acred Groves
1 Andhra Pradesh Pavithra vanalu 713
2 Arunachal Pradesh gumpa forest 65
3 Assam t han, Madaico 40
4 Bihar sarnas 43
5 chhattisgarh sarna, Devlas, Mandar, Budhadev 600+
6 goa Deorai, Pann 93
7 gujarat sabarkantha, Dahod and Banaskantha 29
8 Haryana Beed or Bid, Bani, Janglat, shamlat 248
9 Himachal Pradesh Deobhumi 5000
10 Jammu and Kashmir Kheer Bhawani 131
11 Jharkhand sarna, Jaherthan 21
12 Karnataka Devarakadu, Devkad 1424
13 Kerala Kavu, sarpakavu 2000
14 Madhya Pradesh
sharana, Devkot, Matikot, Devsthali, 
Bhdhadev
170
15 Maharashtra Deorai, Devarai 1600
16 Manipur gamkhap, Mauhak 365
17 Meghalaya Law kyntang, Law lyngdoh 125
18 Mizoram ngawpui  
19 orissa Jahera, t hakuramma 322+
20 Punjab  chatpat Bani.  
21 r ajasthan
oran, kenkri, vani, shamlatdeh,  
Devbani, Jogmaya
9+
22 sikkim gumpa forest 56
23 tamil nadu Kovilkadu 503
24 telangana  r akshita vanalu 65
25 t ripura gamkhap and Mauhak 166 
26 uttar Pradesh Dev van, Just van 32
27 uttarakhand Deo bhumi, Bugyal 18+
28 West Bengal
gramthan, Haritan, s abitritan, Jahera, 
Deo tasara and Mawmund
670+
 Source:  Murugesan, Amirthalingam(2016). Sacred Groves of India.10.20546/ijcrbp.2016.304.011
Page 4


27 April 2024
he rig veda, (1700-1100 Bce) an 
ancient collection of Hindu hymns, 
mentions tree worship, which might 
be linked to the concept of sacred 
groves. generally, sacred groves are small forest 
patches conserved by local people through 
religious beliefs, traditional sentiments, and taboos 
(r amakrishna 1997) and are repositories of many 
threatened species; they are popularly called 
living biological heritage sites as they contain rich 
“Very little has been published regarding sacred groves in India, but they 
are, or rather were, very numerous…these…as a rule, are not touched by 
the axe, except when wood is wanted for the repair of religious buildings.’’
– D Brandis (1887)
First Inspector General of Forest of India
diversity. t he existence of sacred groves took place 
all over the world, including in india as well as in Asia, 
Africa, europe, Australia, and America (Hughes and 
chandra, 1998)  i t is estimated that the total number 
of sacred groves in india is likely to be more than  
1.5 lakh (Malhotra et al. 2001).  However, 14000+ 
sacred groves have been enumerated in different 
states. they have different vernacular names 
in rural and tribal areas.  For example, in  sikkim 
popularly known as ‘gumpas’; Kave in kerala; orans 
T
DR SAnKARARAO muDADlA
the author is a Scientist-d, Botanical Survey of india, MoefCC, deccan regional Centre, Kendriya Sadan, Koti, hyderabad-20, 
(telangana). email: mudadlas2021@gmail.com
sacre D GroVes
28 April 2024
in rajasthan.  Andhra Pradesh and telangana 
Popularly known as ‘Pavitra vanalu/rakshita 
vanalu /Devata vanalu’ .
t ypes of s acred Groves
Based on the deities, cultural, and the religious 
importance, and their association.
1. temple Groves: these groves are associated 
with temples due to their religious 
importance; generally, they are protected by 
the government, the temple trust, or village 
committees. t hey often contain a wide variety 
of plants and animals. examples: Ficus, neem, 
and t amarind tree.
2. traditional sacred Groves: these are the 
places where the folk deities reside, i.e., 
Potharaju, Yellamma, Polamma, Maridimma in 
Andhra Pradesh, sammakka-sarakka grama 
Devathalu in t elangana, Kavus in Kerala, gumpa 
groves in sikkim, etc. t hey often contain a rich 
variety of plant and animal life. 
3. religious Groves: Where they are associated 
with Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, islamism, 
and sikhism. traditionally, these are protected 
by local communities through religious beliefs 
and customs, rather than by formal government 
legislation.
4. island Groves: island groves can be categorised 
based on the habitat type-specific ecological 
importance, for example, mangroves and 
coastal/reverie areas in Andhra Pradesh.
5. Burial/Cremational/memorial Groves: groves 
associated with burial places are popularly 
called cremational/Memorial groves. those 
groves are seen as places of reverence for the 
deceased and are believed to be inhabited 
by the spirits of ancestors. they may serve a 
spiritual or religious purpose, protected as a way 
to honour the dead and maintain a connection 
with them. For example, in Deherze village of 
vikramgad taluka in t hane district, there were 
over 85 stones dedicated to family members of 
the villagers.
significance of s acred Groves
1. protection of ecosystems: sacred groves 
often serve as protected areas, safeguarding 
biodiversity by restricting human activities that 
can harm the environment.
2. traditional Knowledge: Local communities 
that manage sacred groves often possess a 
deep understanding of the local ecology and 
traditional practices that have been passed 
down through generations. this knowledge 
can be valuable for informing conservation 
efforts for future generations.
3. Biodiversity Conservation: sacred groves 
can act as refuge for a wide range of plant 
and animal species, especially in areas where 
habitat loss is a major threat. Biodiversity 
conservation practices associated with sacred 
groves often lead to sustainable management 
of natural resources and the maintenance of 
biodiversity.
4. Cultural preservation: sacred groves are 
important repositories of cultural and religious 
practices of local communities. t hey are often 
seen as the dwelling places of deities or spirits, 
and are used for religious ceremonies and 
rituals.
5. Community empowerment: sacred groves 
are often managed by local communities. 
supporting the conservation of these areas can 
help to empower these communities and give 
them a greater role in decision-making about 
their natural resources.
6. environmental Benefits: t hey play a vital role 
in maintaining the ecological balance of an 
area. t he trees and other vegetation in sacred 
29 April 2024
groves help to prevent soil erosion and provide 
clean air.
7. Community Conservation: t he core principle 
of community conservation is protecting 
biodiversity, preserving natural resources, and 
managing natural resources sustainably for 
future preservation. it can also lead to a number 
of other benefits, such as improved livelihoods 
for local communities, increased food security, 
and enhanced cultural preservation.
s. n o. name of the s tate s acred Grove l ocal name number of s acred Groves
1 Andhra Pradesh Pavithra vanalu 713
2 Arunachal Pradesh gumpa forest 65
3 Assam t han, Madaico 40
4 Bihar sarnas 43
5 chhattisgarh sarna, Devlas, Mandar, Budhadev 600+
6 goa Deorai, Pann 93
7 gujarat sabarkantha, Dahod and Banaskantha 29
8 Haryana Beed or Bid, Bani, Janglat, shamlat 248
9 Himachal Pradesh Deobhumi 5000
10 Jammu and Kashmir Kheer Bhawani 131
11 Jharkhand sarna, Jaherthan 21
12 Karnataka Devarakadu, Devkad 1424
13 Kerala Kavu, sarpakavu 2000
14 Madhya Pradesh
sharana, Devkot, Matikot, Devsthali, 
Bhdhadev
170
15 Maharashtra Deorai, Devarai 1600
16 Manipur gamkhap, Mauhak 365
17 Meghalaya Law kyntang, Law lyngdoh 125
18 Mizoram ngawpui  
19 orissa Jahera, t hakuramma 322+
20 Punjab  chatpat Bani.  
21 r ajasthan
oran, kenkri, vani, shamlatdeh,  
Devbani, Jogmaya
9+
22 sikkim gumpa forest 56
23 tamil nadu Kovilkadu 503
24 telangana  r akshita vanalu 65
25 t ripura gamkhap and Mauhak 166 
26 uttar Pradesh Dev van, Just van 32
27 uttarakhand Deo bhumi, Bugyal 18+
28 West Bengal
gramthan, Haritan, s abitritan, Jahera, 
Deo tasara and Mawmund
670+
 Source:  Murugesan, Amirthalingam(2016). Sacred Groves of India.10.20546/ijcrbp.2016.304.011
30 April 2024
Biodiversity heritage site
Biodiversity Heritage site is a unique 
conservation approach recognised under section 
37 (1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 the state 
g overnment may, from time to time, in consultation 
with the local bodies, notify in the official g azette 
of areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity 
Heritage sites.
t hose sites that are unique, ecologically fragile 
ecosystems - terrestrial, coastal, and inland waters, 
and marine, having rich biodiversity comprising 
of any one or more of the following components: 
richness of wild as well as domesticated species 
or intra-specific categories, high endemism, 
presence of rare and threatened species, keystone 
species, species of evolutionary significance, 
wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or 
their varieties, past pre-eminence of biological 
components represented by fossil beds and having 
significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values and 
are important for the maintenance of cultural 
diversity, with or without a long history of human 
association with them. so far, 44 Biodiversity 
Heritage sites have been notified by 16 states.
1. under section 37 of Biological Diversity 
Act, 2002 (BDA) the state government in 
consultation with local bodies may notify in the 
official gazette, areas of biodiversity importance 
as Biodiversity Heritage sites (BHs).
2. under sub section (2) of section 37, the 
state government in consultation with the 
central government may frame rules for the 
management and conservation of BHs.
3. under sub section (3) of section 37, the 
state governments shall frame schemes for 
compensating or rehabilitating any person or 
section of people economically affected by 
such notification.
considering the above provisions of the Act, 
the national Biodiversity Authority (nBA) issues 
guidelines for selection and management of  
the BHs.
h eritage t rees
Heritage trees are special trees that are 
considered to be of cultural, ecological value, 
and biological significance. these trees are 
often the oldest living things in a community 
and providing habitat for wildlife. Based on 
ecological, socio-cultural significance alternative 
livelihood opportunities, and conservation efforts 
(conservation ethics) on regions, some case studies 
were conducted:
“Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.”
– Gary Snyder
Page 5


27 April 2024
he rig veda, (1700-1100 Bce) an 
ancient collection of Hindu hymns, 
mentions tree worship, which might 
be linked to the concept of sacred 
groves. generally, sacred groves are small forest 
patches conserved by local people through 
religious beliefs, traditional sentiments, and taboos 
(r amakrishna 1997) and are repositories of many 
threatened species; they are popularly called 
living biological heritage sites as they contain rich 
“Very little has been published regarding sacred groves in India, but they 
are, or rather were, very numerous…these…as a rule, are not touched by 
the axe, except when wood is wanted for the repair of religious buildings.’’
– D Brandis (1887)
First Inspector General of Forest of India
diversity. t he existence of sacred groves took place 
all over the world, including in india as well as in Asia, 
Africa, europe, Australia, and America (Hughes and 
chandra, 1998)  i t is estimated that the total number 
of sacred groves in india is likely to be more than  
1.5 lakh (Malhotra et al. 2001).  However, 14000+ 
sacred groves have been enumerated in different 
states. they have different vernacular names 
in rural and tribal areas.  For example, in  sikkim 
popularly known as ‘gumpas’; Kave in kerala; orans 
T
DR SAnKARARAO muDADlA
the author is a Scientist-d, Botanical Survey of india, MoefCC, deccan regional Centre, Kendriya Sadan, Koti, hyderabad-20, 
(telangana). email: mudadlas2021@gmail.com
sacre D GroVes
28 April 2024
in rajasthan.  Andhra Pradesh and telangana 
Popularly known as ‘Pavitra vanalu/rakshita 
vanalu /Devata vanalu’ .
t ypes of s acred Groves
Based on the deities, cultural, and the religious 
importance, and their association.
1. temple Groves: these groves are associated 
with temples due to their religious 
importance; generally, they are protected by 
the government, the temple trust, or village 
committees. t hey often contain a wide variety 
of plants and animals. examples: Ficus, neem, 
and t amarind tree.
2. traditional sacred Groves: these are the 
places where the folk deities reside, i.e., 
Potharaju, Yellamma, Polamma, Maridimma in 
Andhra Pradesh, sammakka-sarakka grama 
Devathalu in t elangana, Kavus in Kerala, gumpa 
groves in sikkim, etc. t hey often contain a rich 
variety of plant and animal life. 
3. religious Groves: Where they are associated 
with Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, islamism, 
and sikhism. traditionally, these are protected 
by local communities through religious beliefs 
and customs, rather than by formal government 
legislation.
4. island Groves: island groves can be categorised 
based on the habitat type-specific ecological 
importance, for example, mangroves and 
coastal/reverie areas in Andhra Pradesh.
5. Burial/Cremational/memorial Groves: groves 
associated with burial places are popularly 
called cremational/Memorial groves. those 
groves are seen as places of reverence for the 
deceased and are believed to be inhabited 
by the spirits of ancestors. they may serve a 
spiritual or religious purpose, protected as a way 
to honour the dead and maintain a connection 
with them. For example, in Deherze village of 
vikramgad taluka in t hane district, there were 
over 85 stones dedicated to family members of 
the villagers.
significance of s acred Groves
1. protection of ecosystems: sacred groves 
often serve as protected areas, safeguarding 
biodiversity by restricting human activities that 
can harm the environment.
2. traditional Knowledge: Local communities 
that manage sacred groves often possess a 
deep understanding of the local ecology and 
traditional practices that have been passed 
down through generations. this knowledge 
can be valuable for informing conservation 
efforts for future generations.
3. Biodiversity Conservation: sacred groves 
can act as refuge for a wide range of plant 
and animal species, especially in areas where 
habitat loss is a major threat. Biodiversity 
conservation practices associated with sacred 
groves often lead to sustainable management 
of natural resources and the maintenance of 
biodiversity.
4. Cultural preservation: sacred groves are 
important repositories of cultural and religious 
practices of local communities. t hey are often 
seen as the dwelling places of deities or spirits, 
and are used for religious ceremonies and 
rituals.
5. Community empowerment: sacred groves 
are often managed by local communities. 
supporting the conservation of these areas can 
help to empower these communities and give 
them a greater role in decision-making about 
their natural resources.
6. environmental Benefits: t hey play a vital role 
in maintaining the ecological balance of an 
area. t he trees and other vegetation in sacred 
29 April 2024
groves help to prevent soil erosion and provide 
clean air.
7. Community Conservation: t he core principle 
of community conservation is protecting 
biodiversity, preserving natural resources, and 
managing natural resources sustainably for 
future preservation. it can also lead to a number 
of other benefits, such as improved livelihoods 
for local communities, increased food security, 
and enhanced cultural preservation.
s. n o. name of the s tate s acred Grove l ocal name number of s acred Groves
1 Andhra Pradesh Pavithra vanalu 713
2 Arunachal Pradesh gumpa forest 65
3 Assam t han, Madaico 40
4 Bihar sarnas 43
5 chhattisgarh sarna, Devlas, Mandar, Budhadev 600+
6 goa Deorai, Pann 93
7 gujarat sabarkantha, Dahod and Banaskantha 29
8 Haryana Beed or Bid, Bani, Janglat, shamlat 248
9 Himachal Pradesh Deobhumi 5000
10 Jammu and Kashmir Kheer Bhawani 131
11 Jharkhand sarna, Jaherthan 21
12 Karnataka Devarakadu, Devkad 1424
13 Kerala Kavu, sarpakavu 2000
14 Madhya Pradesh
sharana, Devkot, Matikot, Devsthali, 
Bhdhadev
170
15 Maharashtra Deorai, Devarai 1600
16 Manipur gamkhap, Mauhak 365
17 Meghalaya Law kyntang, Law lyngdoh 125
18 Mizoram ngawpui  
19 orissa Jahera, t hakuramma 322+
20 Punjab  chatpat Bani.  
21 r ajasthan
oran, kenkri, vani, shamlatdeh,  
Devbani, Jogmaya
9+
22 sikkim gumpa forest 56
23 tamil nadu Kovilkadu 503
24 telangana  r akshita vanalu 65
25 t ripura gamkhap and Mauhak 166 
26 uttar Pradesh Dev van, Just van 32
27 uttarakhand Deo bhumi, Bugyal 18+
28 West Bengal
gramthan, Haritan, s abitritan, Jahera, 
Deo tasara and Mawmund
670+
 Source:  Murugesan, Amirthalingam(2016). Sacred Groves of India.10.20546/ijcrbp.2016.304.011
30 April 2024
Biodiversity heritage site
Biodiversity Heritage site is a unique 
conservation approach recognised under section 
37 (1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 the state 
g overnment may, from time to time, in consultation 
with the local bodies, notify in the official g azette 
of areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity 
Heritage sites.
t hose sites that are unique, ecologically fragile 
ecosystems - terrestrial, coastal, and inland waters, 
and marine, having rich biodiversity comprising 
of any one or more of the following components: 
richness of wild as well as domesticated species 
or intra-specific categories, high endemism, 
presence of rare and threatened species, keystone 
species, species of evolutionary significance, 
wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or 
their varieties, past pre-eminence of biological 
components represented by fossil beds and having 
significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values and 
are important for the maintenance of cultural 
diversity, with or without a long history of human 
association with them. so far, 44 Biodiversity 
Heritage sites have been notified by 16 states.
1. under section 37 of Biological Diversity 
Act, 2002 (BDA) the state government in 
consultation with local bodies may notify in the 
official gazette, areas of biodiversity importance 
as Biodiversity Heritage sites (BHs).
2. under sub section (2) of section 37, the 
state government in consultation with the 
central government may frame rules for the 
management and conservation of BHs.
3. under sub section (3) of section 37, the 
state governments shall frame schemes for 
compensating or rehabilitating any person or 
section of people economically affected by 
such notification.
considering the above provisions of the Act, 
the national Biodiversity Authority (nBA) issues 
guidelines for selection and management of  
the BHs.
h eritage t rees
Heritage trees are special trees that are 
considered to be of cultural, ecological value, 
and biological significance. these trees are 
often the oldest living things in a community 
and providing habitat for wildlife. Based on 
ecological, socio-cultural significance alternative 
livelihood opportunities, and conservation efforts 
(conservation ethics) on regions, some case studies 
were conducted:
“Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.”
– Gary Snyder
31 April 2024
1. Western himalaya– A study explored the role 
of sacred groves in biodiversity conservation, 
highlighting the presence of diverse flora and 
fauna.
2. devithans in sikkim– explores the role of 
Devithans (s acred groves) in the Lepcha-Bhutia 
community.
3. sacred and protected Groves of Andhra 
pradesh.
4. purvatali r ai– sacred grove in g oa, declared 
as Biodiversity Heritage site in 2019.
5. m a wphlang – s acred groves preserved by local 
Khasi communities in Meghalaya.
Challenges
sacred groves have been legally protected 
under the community reserves in the Wildlife 
(Protection) Amendment act, 2002, these are the 
best examples for community conservation and 
also unique source for in-situ conservation but, in 
the modern era, the groves are facing serious threat 
due to: 
1. habitat loss: Due to developmental activities 
like urbanisation, infrastructure development, 
and expansion of agriculture in top hills many 
sacred groves are being cleared or fragmented, 
which can harm the plants and animals that live 
there.
2. Climatic change: threatens the forest health 
and ecosystem, due to sudden and abrupt 
changes in temperatures. t his is leading to rapid 
erosion of the sacred groves, their ecology, 
floral compositions, including medicinal taxa.
3. Global warming: increase of temperature for 
a long time, disrupts weather patterns, like 
heat waves, droughts, floods, forest fires causes 
changes in forest ecosystem, this will lead to 
loss of biodiversity.
1. invasive/ Alien species: t hese are introduced 
species that can harm the native species. o ften, 
they are considered one of the major threats to 
the entire ecosystem, e.g. Chromolaena odorata, 
Lantana camara and Prosopis juliflora.
2. exploitation of resources: in some cases, local 
communities may collect too much firewood, 
medicinal plants, or other resources from 
the sacred grove. this can put a strain on the 
ecosystem and lead to degradation.
3. other challenges: Anthropogenic pressure, 
encroachment, deforestation, cultural 
degradation, pollution, and no proper 
legislations, etc.
management of s acred Groves
some groves are under the custody and 
management of local communities or tribes. 
some are owned and managed by the village 
communities through a system of hereditary 
trusteeship. All management decisions are made 
collectively by the entire village during the annual 
rituals in the sacred grove. c ommunity involvement, 
sustainable Practices, scientific c ollaboration 
with organisations, Balancing customs, r eligious 
Beliefs and conservation are key principles for 
management of sacred groves.
l egislations
t he Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972 empowers 
the state government for declaration of any private 
or community land, as a community reserve, 
for protecting flora fauna, traditional or cultural 
conservation values and practices.