SACRED GROVES
Sacred Grove represent the major effort to recognize and conserve
biodiversity (ethnic diversity) traditionally. On a rough estimate Kerala
has about 1500 sacred groves which are distinct and unique in biological
diversity. The size of the sacred grove in Kerala varies as small as one
cent to 20 or more hectares. The available inventory on sacred grove
indicates that maximum number of such areas is distributed in the
northern districts of the state henceforth called Malabar. The vegetation
in the undisturbed groves is luxuriant and with multi layered trees mixed
with shrubs, lianas and herbs. The ground is humus laden and abundant
with fungus and ferns. The floristic composition is highly influenced by
exposure to anthropogenic pressures, cattle grazing, edaphically and
climatic variations.
Sacred groves act as an abode for many rare, endemic, endangered
species and economically important plants of fruit bearing and
medicinal properties. Apart from conserving biological diversity, sacred
groves that are situated in the middle of the human habitation are
responsible for conserving water and soil. This is evident from the
perennial nature of ponds, wells and tanks, which are situated near the
sacred groves. The fertility of the agro-ecosystems is very high due to
the humus and nutrients generated in the sacred groves.
The major threats to the existence of sacred grove in Kerala are the
disappearance of old joint family system along with changing socio-
economic scenario. The second major threat is the anthropogenic
activities and cattle grazing.
Sacred groves have existed in India from time immemorial as patches of
densely wooded areas. Sacred groves have preserved many rare and
endemic wild plant species, many of which hold potential benefit to man
in medicine, agriculture and industry. In fact, sacred groves represent the
ancient Indian way of in situ conservation of genetic diversity. These
sacred groves are therefore valuable gene pools and the first major
effort to recognize and conserve biodiversity. Most sacred groves
harbored perennial water source and hence formed the vital support
system of many villages.
Sacred groves have been reported from many parts of the world eg.
Mexico, Ghana, Nigeria, China, Syria, Turkey etc. In India they are known
from Himalayas, North-East India, highlands of Bihar, Orissa, Madhya
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Locally
they are known variously as "Sarana" (in central India), "Kavu" or
'Nagavanam' in Kerala, "Nandavana" in Tamil Nadu, "Sidharavanam" in
, Karnataka, "Kavu" in Andhra Pradesh. Plants are protected for their
sociological, medicinal and social importance. Common examples of
such species are Peepul (Ficus religiosa) neem (Azadirachta
indica) maruthu (Terminalia paniculata) Kanikonna (Cassia
fistula) and Koovalam (Aegle marmelos).
Flora and Vegetation
The vegetation in undisturbed groves is luxuriant and comprises several
stories of trees mixed with shrubs, lianas and herbs. The ground is
humus laden and covered with litter. Macro-fungus are abundant, so
also ferns. Whenever there is a water body algae and water plants grow
gregariously. Floristic variations have occurred in many sacred groves
exposed to human and animal interferences and climatic and edaphic
changes.
Top canopy is represented by species like Artocarpus hirsutus, Vateria
indica, Hopea parviflora, Hopea ponga, Alstonia scholaris etc. Second
storey consists of Macaranga peltata, Mimusops elengi, Hydnocarpus
wightiana, etc. Common lianas are Strychnos colubrina, Anamirta
cocculus, Acacia intsia etc. Chassalia curviflora, lxora nigricans, Ixora
brachiata are constituents of the shrubby layer. The ground layer is
usually formed of seasonal members as, Centella asiatica, Aerva lanata,
Andrographis paniculata, Biophytum sensitivum. Common climbers are
Calamus spp, Anamirta cocculus. Strychnos colubrina, Calycopteris
floribunda etc. Total parasites like Cassytha filiformis and semiparasites
like Loranthus spp, are also common. Common constituents of the
shrubby layer include species like Memecylon umbellatum, Pavetta
Sacred Grove represent the major effort to recognize and conserve
biodiversity (ethnic diversity) traditionally. On a rough estimate Kerala
has about 1500 sacred groves which are distinct and unique in biological
diversity. The size of the sacred grove in Kerala varies as small as one
cent to 20 or more hectares. The available inventory on sacred grove
indicates that maximum number of such areas is distributed in the
northern districts of the state henceforth called Malabar. The vegetation
in the undisturbed groves is luxuriant and with multi layered trees mixed
with shrubs, lianas and herbs. The ground is humus laden and abundant
with fungus and ferns. The floristic composition is highly influenced by
exposure to anthropogenic pressures, cattle grazing, edaphically and
climatic variations.
Sacred groves act as an abode for many rare, endemic, endangered
species and economically important plants of fruit bearing and
medicinal properties. Apart from conserving biological diversity, sacred
groves that are situated in the middle of the human habitation are
responsible for conserving water and soil. This is evident from the
perennial nature of ponds, wells and tanks, which are situated near the
sacred groves. The fertility of the agro-ecosystems is very high due to
the humus and nutrients generated in the sacred groves.
The major threats to the existence of sacred grove in Kerala are the
disappearance of old joint family system along with changing socio-
economic scenario. The second major threat is the anthropogenic
activities and cattle grazing.
Sacred groves have existed in India from time immemorial as patches of
densely wooded areas. Sacred groves have preserved many rare and
endemic wild plant species, many of which hold potential benefit to man
in medicine, agriculture and industry. In fact, sacred groves represent the
ancient Indian way of in situ conservation of genetic diversity. These
sacred groves are therefore valuable gene pools and the first major
effort to recognize and conserve biodiversity. Most sacred groves
harbored perennial water source and hence formed the vital support
system of many villages.
Sacred groves have been reported from many parts of the world eg.
Mexico, Ghana, Nigeria, China, Syria, Turkey etc. In India they are known
from Himalayas, North-East India, highlands of Bihar, Orissa, Madhya
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Locally
they are known variously as "Sarana" (in central India), "Kavu" or
'Nagavanam' in Kerala, "Nandavana" in Tamil Nadu, "Sidharavanam" in
, Karnataka, "Kavu" in Andhra Pradesh. Plants are protected for their
sociological, medicinal and social importance. Common examples of
such species are Peepul (Ficus religiosa) neem (Azadirachta
indica) maruthu (Terminalia paniculata) Kanikonna (Cassia
fistula) and Koovalam (Aegle marmelos).
Flora and Vegetation
The vegetation in undisturbed groves is luxuriant and comprises several
stories of trees mixed with shrubs, lianas and herbs. The ground is
humus laden and covered with litter. Macro-fungus are abundant, so
also ferns. Whenever there is a water body algae and water plants grow
gregariously. Floristic variations have occurred in many sacred groves
exposed to human and animal interferences and climatic and edaphic
changes.
Top canopy is represented by species like Artocarpus hirsutus, Vateria
indica, Hopea parviflora, Hopea ponga, Alstonia scholaris etc. Second
storey consists of Macaranga peltata, Mimusops elengi, Hydnocarpus
wightiana, etc. Common lianas are Strychnos colubrina, Anamirta
cocculus, Acacia intsia etc. Chassalia curviflora, lxora nigricans, Ixora
brachiata are constituents of the shrubby layer. The ground layer is
usually formed of seasonal members as, Centella asiatica, Aerva lanata,
Andrographis paniculata, Biophytum sensitivum. Common climbers are
Calamus spp, Anamirta cocculus. Strychnos colubrina, Calycopteris
floribunda etc. Total parasites like Cassytha filiformis and semiparasites
like Loranthus spp, are also common. Common constituents of the
shrubby layer include species like Memecylon umbellatum, Pavetta
