Role of sacred groves, value education and spirituality in conserving biodiversity with special reference to Arunachal Pradesh state of India

Abstract

Sacred groves are traditionally managed as community forests in many parts of India, particularly where indigenous communities live for centuries. These ecological assets form a significant part of the India's floral and faunal diversity. Arunachal Pradesh state of India is a homeland of various ethnic tribes. Most of the tribes have been protecting and conserving sacred groves based on their religious culture, beliefs, totem, taboos and festivals. This paper highlights current status of some of the significant sacred groves in four districts of Arunachal Pradesh state. Materialistic character of the present society, lack of values, virtues and spirituality among majority of the masses seem to be the major reasons for biodiversity degradation, especially in developing countries. The role of value education and spirituality in transforming attitudes of the people, particularly of younger generation, from materialism to spiritualism and to develop an attitude of love, pity and compassion towards living organisms and biodiversity has been stressed upon.