SUBJECT:

IDENTIFICATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR SCIENCE

TEACHING & LEARNING

SECRED GROVES

Submitted to,

submitted by,

Sreekala Madam

Thushara. T
B.Ed, Natural Sceince
Reg. No. 18114384009

Submitted on
20/10/2015

INDEX

Sl. No

TOPIC

PAGE NO.

INTRODUCTION

MAJOR SACRED GROVES IN KERALA

ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANTS OF SACRED

3

2-4
GROVES

CONCLUSION

REFERENCE

Introduction
Sacred groves have existed .from time immorial all over the world as patches of
density wooded areas, harbouring Unique Flora &fauna with perennial water resources in the
vicinity. Sacred groves have been preserved as substantial resources, ensuring the basic
capital inact and hence considered valuable gene pool & the first major effort to recognise
and conserve biodiversity. Biodiversity is the very basis of human survival; economic wellbeing and encompasses all life forms. Ecosystems and ecological processes, acknowledging
the hierarchy at genetic, taxon and ecosystem level.
The institution of sacred groves is very ancient, and one was widespread in most parts
of the world. Over 50,000 sacred groves have so far been reported from different parts of
India. SGs are the rich heritage of India and play an important role in the religious and socio
cultural life of the local people. Sacred groves are one of the best examples of biodiversity
preservation and they are very source of plant genetic materials in future. Sacred groves are
found in many part of India from Meghalaya in the North East to Rajasthan in the West
and many places along the Western Ghats.

Major Sacred Groves in Kerala

In Kerala, these Islands of greenery are called Kavu. In the olden days, almost all
Kerala, Tharavadu had sacred groves dedicated to Serpent Gods and Goddesses. On a
rough estimate, Kerala has about 1500 sacred groves, distinct and unique in biological
diversity.
The sacred groves are spread through out of low lands of Kerala extending up to the
foot hills. There are few groves in the high ranges of Idukki and Wayanadu districts.

Ecological significance of Sacred Groves

1. The Sacred Groves are important deposits of floral and faunal diversity that have been
conserved by local communities in a sustainable manner.
2. The groves are often associated with ponds, streams, or springs, which helps to meet
the water requirements of the local peoples. The vegetative cover also helps in the
recharging the aquifers. Vegetative mass of the grove itself retains water, soaking it
up like a sponge during wet periods and releasing it slowly in times of draught.
3. The vegetation cover of the sacred groves improves the social stability of the area and
also prevents social erosion.
4. Sacred groves act as a nursery and store house of many of the Ayurvedic Trtibal and
Folk Medicines.
5. The sacred groves may also serve to preserve genotypes which may be useful in forest
tree-breeding programme.
6. The sacred grows of Kerala are also found to harbour a number of plant species that
are wild relatives of many crop species. These wild relatives are important for
improving the cultivated varieties of plants.
7. Sacred groves help in the nutrient cycling of the environment.
8. Sacred groves help in the comprehensive health of a landscape and preserving the
socio cultural integrity of local communities.
9. The sacred groves are also of great forestry interest as indicators of the natural
productivity of the region.
10. A number of studies have emphasized that many sacred groves are climax forests and
probably constitute the only representative of natural vegetation.

CONCULSION
In many parts of the country, during the past three decades, sacred groves have
started deterioration both in terms of cultural and biological integrity; though the
nature and extent of threats pressures are often regional and even grow specific. The
magnitude of these threats varies from region to region as well as from one type of
grove to another. Sacred groves are valuable gene pools and the first major effort of
the society to recognise and conserve biodiversity.
The pond and streams adjoining the groves serve as perennial water sources
serving as the last resort to many animals and birds for their water requirements,
especially during summer. Sacred groves enrich the soil through its rich litter & the
nutrients generated by litter decomposition are not only recycled within the sacred
grove ecosystem but also find their way in to the adjoining agro ecosystems.

REFERENCE
1.

Induchoodan. N.C

2.

Rajendra Prasad. M
groves of Kerala.

Ecological studies on the sacred groves in Kerala.

The forensic structural and functional aanalysis of sacred