Sacred Groves

Sacred groves are tracts of virgin forest with rich diversity, which have been protected by the local people for centuries for their cultural and religious beliefs and taboos that the deities reside in them and protect the villagers from different calamities. Every sacred grove carries its own legends, lore, and myths which form the integral part of the sacred grove. An inextricable link between present society and past in terms of biodiversity, culture, religious and ethnic heritage exists in sacred groves. Sacred groves are distributed across the globe, and diverse cultures recognize them in different ways encoding various rules for their protection. Sacred groves act as an ideal centre for biodiversity conservation. Several plants and animals

It has been observed that several medicinal plants that are not to be found in the forest are abundant in the sacred groves. Further, rare, endangered, threatened and endemic species are often concentrated in sacred groves. The sacredness, religious beliefs and taboos play a significant role in promoting sustainable utilization and conservation of flora and fauna of the region.

Keywords: sacred groves, biodiversity, socio-cultural values and heritage, degradation and socio-economic changes.

I. Introduction

Sacred groves of India are forest fragments of varying sizes, which are communally protected, and which usually have a significant religious connotation for the protecting community. Hunting and logging are usually strictly prohibited within these patches. Other forms of forest usage like honey collection and deadwood collection are sometimes allowed on a sustainable basis. Sacred groves are seen throughout kerala having varied forms, cultural practices and belief systems. Snakes are worshipped by the tribals and traditional people. Adivasis and Dravidians are known to worship inanimate objects like trees and stones

Leaves are used as a poulitice for voils and eczema. Oil from seeds is used in the treatment of skin disease and rheumatism.

Aervalanata (L) Juss Amaranthaceae Plant is used to treat Lithiasis. Root is used against stangury.

Artocarpushirsutus Moraceae Dried leaves along with other medicines are applied over bubos and swelled testicles.

AlstoniaSeholaris Apocynaceae Bark is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, liver complaints, skin disease and rheumatic pains. Milky juice is applied to ulcers.

Aporosalindleyana Euphorbiaceae Adecotion of the root is given against jaundice, fever and headache, seminal loss and instainty etc.

Dioscoreabulbifera Dioscoreaceae Underground stem is used to treat dyspepsin, urinary discharges, leucocoderma bronchitis, syphilis and ulcers.

Ficusarnottiana Moraceae Leaves and bark are used against skin diseases.

Buchanania-lanceolata Ancardiaceae Ripe fruit improve digestive power. It is also used against rheumatism.

Centellaasiatica Umbelifers The juice of the leaves may be taken as a tonic. It is used against diseases of skin nerves and blood epilepsy. Leaves are used as a poultice and have marked stimulating and healing action. An ointment prepared from the leaves is used in case of