Abstract
Sacred groves are small patches of forests, protected by local communities on religious grounds, rituals and culture. It represent a tradition of nature worship by dedicating patches of forests to deities and providing protection to such forest patches. They have immense value from genetic and ecological point ofview. Results of studies conducted in eleven sacred groves in Kannur district of Kerala are compiled in this paper. Two hundred and three plant species including 10 true mangroves give an insight into the bioecological and socio cultural dimensions of sacred groves in helping and conserving the biological diversity.Kaliyattam a performing art with different forms of ‘theyyam’ is conducted every year offering to propitiate the deity by different communities in the villages. ‘Devakooth’ a theyyam performed by women in Thekkumpad kavu. is noteworthy among the performative rituals. These ritualistic practices centred aroundthe sacred groves substantially contribute to the conservation and day- to-day management of ecological balance by sacred groves. The different types of roles played by sacred groves in maintaining the ecosystem integrity and biodiversity conservation are also presented in this paper.
Highlights
The socio-ecological system integrating with its cultural and spiritual dimensions with is still strong amongst many traditional societies
Results of studies conducted in eleven sacred groves in Kannur district of Kerala are compiled in this paper
Kaliyattam a performing art with different forms of ‘theyyam’ is conducted every year offering to propitiate the deity by different communities in the villages
Summary
The socio-ecological system integrating with its cultural and spiritual dimensions with is still strong amongst many traditional societies. The initial impetus amongst traditional societies for conservation of biodiversity seems to have arisen out of the animistic religious belief system. Sacred groves are patches of climax vegetations of past, reserved on religious grounds. They have immense value from genetical and ecological point of view. These are natural treasure houses of plants and animals that can satisfy the scientific, cultural, aesthetic needs of mankind.Traditional ecological knowledge and its functioning in India is a compled subject and least understood. The presents study was carried out with to study the floristic diversity of certain sacred groves in Kannur and to elucidate the role of sacred groves in biodiversity conservation with sustainable livelyhood of traditional and cultural aspects
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