There is no evidence to show that the groves were intended primarily for biodiversity conservation or as a science based natural resource management strategy. Nov 14, 2017 sacred groves can help us expand how we think about conservation because there is no definitive system of natureworship in india. This practice of conserving such groves is linked to the society. It has been observed that several medicinal plants that are not to be found in the forest are abundant in the sacred groves. For example, it is estimated that there are between 100,000 and 150,000 sacred groves throughout india. Yadav department of botany, maharashi dayanand university, rohtak, haryana, india. Biodiversity conservation in sacred groves complete detail. This community participation symbolizes unity and harmony. Today, the sacred groves face many threats such as change in religious beliefs, forest.
Sacred groves and biodiversity conservation there has been a close linkage between human beings and nature conservation since the beginning of hunting and gathering societies. Sacred grovea natures giftas a remedy for human ailments. Their conservation would not be possible without the active participation of the local people. A religious platform for biodiversity conservation by.
In this article, we discuss current threats to sacred groves that need to be addressed through management approaches. Pdf sacred groves are tracts of virgin forest with rich diversity, which have been protected. Yet, when viewed collectively, the benefits for the preservation of biodiversity in the region are immense. Nearly 45,000 species of plants and twice as many of animals have been recorded from india. The present paper presents an analysis of information collected from knowledgeable. Research has focused on tree diversity inside these forest patches. Vartak 2002, 1 sacred groves are tracts of the most valuable of legacies from the primitive practices of nature conservation. Pdf traditional knowledge and biodiversity conservation. A preliminary survey was conducted in these sgs to study their role in biodiversity. Pdf the sacred groves and their significance in conserving. The relationship between humankind and earth is based on a belief that the planets biospheric life support system is sacred cairns, 2002. Traditional knowledge and biodiversity conservation in the sacred groves of meghalaya article pdf available in indian journal of traditional knowledge 54.
Biodiversity and ecological assessments of indian sacred groves. These forest areas have been protected since ages by traditional societies and indigenous communities with their sociocultural and religious. Traditional ecological knowledge, sacred groves and conservation of biodiversity in the pachmarhi 969 biosphere reserve of india including tiger, leopard, wild boar, barking deer, guars, cheetal, and rhesus macaque. Potential role of sacred groves in biodiversity conservation. The pressures of poverty, cultural change, and migration are causing inhabitants to harvest resources from the groves at an unsustainable rate. Iucnprotecting sacred natural sites of indigenous and tra. Biodiversity conservation of groves is thus a byproduct of a traditional belief of locals in the supernatural power of the forest deity. Sacred groves sgs are relic forest patches preserved in the name of religion or culture. Sacred groves act as an ideal centre for biodiversity conservation. Many sacred natural sites contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. To find out the status of sacred groves in himachal pradesh. Though sacred groves were established for spiritual purposes, they are contributing to insitu biodiversity conservation. Pdf on jan 1, 2003, highland kayang and others published biodiversity conservation through sacred groves find, read and cite all the. Community linked biodiversity conservation tradition in the world kushallappa and bhagwat, 2001.
But peoples changing attitudes, erosion of traditional beliefs, and human impact have caused degradation of sacred. The sacred groves and their significance in conserving. Potential role of sacred groves in biodiversity conservation in. More research on the ecology and underlying socioeconomic mechanisms of natural sacred sites is required to fully reveal their potential for biodiversity conservation. Sacred groves are technically defined with following definitions. A good number of studies have conducted throughout india and the volume of literature provides ample evidence for this statement 1214. That is what makes our country one of the 12 mega diversity countries of the world.
Myths, beliefs, and biodiversity conservation a case study from western himalaya, india sushmasingh, 1 mudasiryoussouf, 2 zubaira. Traditional knowledge based sacred groves conservation has a significant contribution in the process of biodiversity conservation and also most of the plants or trees are of medicinal importance and hence the maintenance of the sanctity of that area reflects in the rectification of human ailments. Lessons from the sacred groves of india biodiversity and. These approaches are currently extended through the sage program, for example the survey of the biodiversity of the sns, focusing on specific taxonomic groups flora, birds, bats, lichens, fungi, insects. This paper is based on the study of three sacred groves in jhabua,a district in. Sacred groves may lose their prominence nowadays, but are still relevant in indian rural landscapes inhabited by traditional communities. The sacred groves and their significance in conserving biodiversity an overview m.
Sacred groves are patches of primary and natural forests, protected through sociocultural laws by the local communities near their villages and are always dedicated to certain deities. Tripathi3 1 department of forestry, north eastern regional institute of science and technology, nirjuli 791109 itanagar, arunachal pradesh, india email. Pbr is equally known for its cultural diversity, as it is inhabited by number of tribal and nontribal communities. In india, sacred groves are recorded from northeast himalayan region. Most of these sacred groves are associated with local hindu gods and goddesses, whereas sacred groves of islamic and buddhist origins are also known. To document the sacred and protected groves and their biodiversity to understand the underlying principle behind the age old traditions of the sacred groves. Pdf biodiversity conservation through sacred groves. Hema somanathan india video ecologist hema somanathan talks about the cultural and ecological thinking behind the traditional sacred groves. An inventory of all existing sacred groves could provide important information on their role in in situ conservation. Taken alone, the significance of smaller sites may be quite limited for biodiversity conservation, but taken together they can represent sizeable protected areas. Myths, beliefs, and biodiversity conservationa case study from western himalaya, india sushmasingh,1 mudasiryoussouf,2 zubaira. All communities come together, offer their prayers and participate in the annual activities.
Sacred groves are considered as repository of local biodiversity. Protected areas, biodiversity and conservation 9 peter murrell conservation area, tasmania, australia even small parks can have important conservation roles. Religious belief and taboos are the constructive tools for conserving the sacred groves. In order to promote them for communitybased conservation of biodiversity the government should declare sacred groves as preservation sites, and incorporate them into modern conservation systems. Sacred groves, patches of natural forests, a manifestation of nature worship offer ecological, environmental and sociocultural functions to the local communities. Pdf role of sacred groves sacred groves in biodiversity.
Several plants and animals that are threatened in the forest are still well conserved in some of the sacred groves. Policy and law sacred groves in greece, as in many other countries of the world form a largely unrecognized shadow conservation network. The forest plots and the groves shared a species similarity index of 45%, suggesting that the sacred groves contributed to in situ conservation of the miombo woodland biodiversity. Sacred groves sgs are patches of land that are communally protected with religious zeal. Conserving biodiversity through traditional beliefs in sacred. In india, nature worship dates back to the prevedic period 5000 b.
Conservation and management of sacred groves surender k. Role of sacred groves in biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity and conservation although india h as only 2. Sacred groves, in general, are a valuable tool of biodiversity conservation. Pdf sacred groves are small patches or islands of remaining original habitat or forests of various dimensions partially or fully protected by local. A landscape approach to biodiversity conservation of sacred. Traditional representations of the natural environment and biodiversity conservation. Conservation of biological resources the endemic and threatened plant species should be conserve. Traditional ecological knowledge, sacred groves and. Sacred groves occur in a variety of places from scrub forests in the thar desert of rajasthan maintained by the bishnois, to rain forests in the western ghats of kerala. Sacred groves are scattered all over the country, and are referred to by different names in different parts of india. The role of groves in biodiversity conservation in southwestern nigeria was investigated in osunosogbo and igboolodumare sacred groves and compared with degraded and primary forests. Identification and creating an inventory of key biological resources biodiversity of the sacred groves.
This article deals with listing of groves, documentation of traditional beliefs and cultural practices of different indigenous communities associated with sacred groves, their roles in social life status and management of sacred groves their importance in biodiversity conservation and forces threatening existence and suggestions and strategies. Sacred groves sgs are patches of trees on forest land that are protected communally with religious zeal and connotations. But peoples changing attitudes, erosion of traditional beliefs, and human impact have caused degradation of sacred groves over the years. Sacred groves occur in a variety of places from scrub forests in the thar desert of rajasthan maintained by the bishnois, to rain forests in the kerala western ghats. Mar 12, 2020 biodiversity conservation in sacred groves complete detail. These sacred groves of manipur have helped the conservation of biodiversity through the ages and some of them remain unaffected till date. The practice gained relevance with the spread of agriculture that caused largescale deforestation affecting biodiversity and watersheds. Some of the woody species were absent in the forest plots, also suggesting that groves served as a refuge for some species. Although sacred groves are important for conservation in india, the landscape that surrounds them has a vital influence on biodiversity within them. Aug 01, 2010 cultural diversity in remote mountain regions is closely linked to biodiversity, as there is a symbiotic relationship between habitats and cultures, and between ecosystems and cultural identity. Significance of sacred groves in conservation of biodiversity. The restriction in resource usage, undisturbed condition and suitable microclimate are the primary factors for. Religious and traditional beliefs, cultural mores, and practices play a crucial role in the conservation of environment and biodiversity.
Jun 20, 2014 traditional and indigenous communities in india are of the religious belief that medicinal groves and plants are sacred in nature. Pdf ecological and sociocultural aspects of biodiversity. The present study indicates the role of sacred groves in biodiversity conservation through faith, belief. Hence, all the landscaping area of manipur has the sacred groves deities, which conserve many rare and endemic species of flora and fauna of the state. Conservation and management of sacred groves mafiadoc. This small conservation area in tasmania provides habitat for the endangered fortyspotted pardalote.