Question

What are the sacred groves? Mention any two examples.

Answer 1

Hint: In India alongside the government, the locals also take part in forest conservation. This is one such measure taken by the indigenous people. Such groves are seen in a north-eastern state, some western states, and one of the central states of India.

Complete answer:
Sacred groves are parts of the forest that are left untouched by locals and even given complete protection by them. In many cultures, large areas of forest were set aside. Subsequently, all the trees and wildlife within were venerated and given total protection. The examples of sacred groves are Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya and Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan.
- India has a history of religious and cultural traditions that emphasized the protection of nature. As a result, the natives also take upon themselves to protect their biosphere, an example of which is sacred groves.
Other examples of sacred groves are:
- Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra.
- The Bastar, Chanda, and Sarguja areas of Madhya Pradesh.
- In Meghalaya, the sacred groves are the last refuge for a large number of rare and endangered plants.
- In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected by the forest authorities as biosphere reserves, national parks, and sanctuaries.
- Consequently, India now has fourteen biosphere reserves, ninety national parks, and four hundred and forty-eight wildlife sanctuaries.
So, parts of the forest and the associated wildlife exclusively protected by the locals are called “sacred groves”. They are spread across the country from “Khasi and Jaintia Hills” in Meghalaya to “Aravalli Hills” in Rajasthan. A number of them are also located in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Note:
- Sacred groves come under in situ conservation.
- When we conserve and protect the whole ecosystem, its biodiversity at all levels is protected, e.g., we save the entire forest as a measure to save the tiger. This approach is called in situ (on-site) conservation.
- However, when situations arise where a plant or animal is endangered or threatened and needs immediate measures to save it from getting extinct, ex-situ (off-site) conservation is the apt approach.