Ethano biological studies

Ethno biological studies

Sacred Groves: These are relicts of conserved natural forests for worship the deity. The forests areas are known as ‘Rai’ or ‘Devrai’ or ‘Devarhat’ or ‘Sacred Grove’. These forest patches are dedicated to deities, where cutting plants and hunting animal is taboo. These forest places are evidences of our cultural conservation practices in the form of ‘Sacred Groves’ or ‘Devrais’.

            These are act as hottest hotspot spots for biodiversity conservation and ethnobiology (documentation of tribal knowledge about unfolded secrets of plants as well as animals). It has immense role in the era of biotechnology, bioinformatics and bioprospecting.

In Maharashtra about 1600 sacred groves have been recorded so far and stand third for the same. These forest patches are mainly distributed in Pune, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurga and Kolhapur districts (Waghchaure et al, 2006) of Maharashtra State.

Importance of Sacred groves in Taxonomy:

1.         These area exhibit rich floristic diversity as far as endemic plants are concerned. In this way these sacred groves act as repositary of rich biodiversity and genetic resources.

2.         These forests patches are islands of forests which are rich in biodiversity with diverse life forms and habitats.

3.         A distinct feature of the west coast is the presence of rocky lateritic plateaus with less perennial vegetation and rich monsoon ephemeral flora. These lateritic plateaus harbor small islands of forests which are identified as Sacred Groves.

4.         Sacred groves have served as important reservoirs of biodiversity, preserving unique species of plants, insects, and animals.

5.         Sacred groves have potential in conservation of diverse life forms in small geographical area.

Status of Sacred Groves:

(a) International status-

Sacred groves are manifested a range of traditions and cultural values of forests. Although they occur throughout the world, sacred groves share many similar features, which are summarized in part by Pei Shengji (Posey 1999) in his reference to the four hundred 'dragon hills' (lung shan) in the Yunan Province of China: '... a kind of natural conservation area... a forest hill where the gods reside. All the plants and animals that inhabit the Holy Hills are either companions of the gods or sacred living things in the gods' gardens. In addition.... the spirits of great and revered chieftains go to the Holy Hills to live following their departure from the world of the living'.

(b) National Status: Indian sacred groves are associated with temples and are protected on the name of specific deity by the local communities. There have been no floristic studies specifically of the sacred groves are occurring in coastal lateritic plateaus are concerned. Therefore there is a need to initiate systematic floristic and faunal explorations to understand the species composition of theses sacred areas. Plateaus represent one of the significant habitat for RET plants and animal species. Sacred Groves along the Western Ghats from of Maharashtra and Goa has been studied by Vartak, V. D. and Gadgil, M. (1981).

Significance of the sacred grove study:

The high conservation and biodiversity values of sacred groves, increasing attention due to their potential as a tool and model for biodiversity conservation. The study area is continuously affecting due many anthropogenic activities like cultivation of fruit plants like Mango & Cashew, shifting cultivation practices by local communities. The biotic pressure on the sacred groves is increasing tremendously. Its potential contribution to knowledge in the field of biodiversity. Indian sacred groves are mainly associated with temples / monasteries / shrines and some time act as burial grounds. Sacred groves may be loosely used to refer to other natural habitat protected on religious grounds, such as Alpine Meadows. Historical references to sacred groves can be obtained from ancient classics as far back as Kalidasa's Vikramuurvashiiya. Sacred groves are associated with the concept of a "presiding deity". While most of these sacred deities are associated with local Hindu gods, sacred groves of Islamic and Buddhist origins, and some based on smaller local religions and folk religions. There are over 1000 deities associated with sacred groves in the states of Kerala and Karnataka alone. In Kodagu in Karnataka the martial community of Kodavas maintained Deva kadus dedicated to Aiyappa the forest god.

Locations:

            Sacred groves are scattered all over the country, and are referred to by different names in different parts of India.  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. Himachal Pradesh in the north and Kerala in the south are specifically known for their large numbers of sacred groves. More than 1000 sacred groves are distributed in Karnataka.

All over India around 14,000 sacred groves have been reported, which act as reservoirs of rare fauna, and more often rare flora, amid rural and even urban settings. Experts believe that the total number of sacred groves could be as high as 100,000. Some of the more famous groves are the kavus of Kerala, which are located in the Western Ghats and have enormous biodiversity;  The law kyntangs of Meghalaya – sacred groves associated with every village (two large groves being in Mawphlang and Mausmai) to appease the forest spirit. Among the largest sacred groves of India are the ones in Hariyali, near Ganchar in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand and the Deodar grove in Shipin near Simla in Himachal Pradesh. Kodagu, a small region of about 4000 km² in Karnataka, had over 1000 sacred groves.

Uses:

Traditional uses:

1.      One of the most important traditional uses of sacred groves was that it acted as a repository for various Ayurvedic medicines.

2.      Other uses involved a source of replenishable resources like fruits and honey.

3.      However, in most sacred groves it was taboo to hunt or chop wood.

4.      The vegetation cover helps reduce soil erosion and prevents desertification, as in Rajasthan.

5.      The groves are often associated with ponds and streams, and meet water requirements of local communities.

6.      They help in recharging aquifers as well.

Modern uses:

1.      Sacred groves serve as biodiversity hotspots by conserving various species of plants and animals

2.      In recent period forest land of many area are under progressive habitat destruction and hunting.

3.      Sacred groves often contain plant and animal species that have become extinct in neighboring areas.

4.      They therefore harbor great genetic diversity.

5.      Besides this, sacred groves in urban landscapes act as "lungs" to the city as well, providing much needed vegetation cover.

6.      Sacred groves have served as important reservoirs of biodiversity, preserving unique species of plants, insects, and animals.

7.      Sacred and taboo associations attached to particular species of trees, forest groves, mountains, rivers, caves, and temple sites should therefore continue to play an important role in the protection of particular ecosystems by local people.

8.      Particular plant species are often used by traditional healers and priests who have a strong interest in the preservation of such sites and ecosystems.

9.      In some regions of the world, beliefs that spirits inhabit relict areas have served to quickly regenerate into mature forest.

10.  In other areas, sacred places play a major part in safeguarding critical sites in the hydrological cycle of watershed areas.

11.  Furthermore, in a number of instances sacred sites have also been instrumental in preserving the ecological integrity of entire landscapes.

12.  In South India, sacred groves are populated by dead spirits prevented from transforming and hence remaining ghosts forever. Trees in these areas grow wild and gives rise to highly fertile but extremely dangerous sacred groves.