Forests Protected by Faith
Across the Western Ghats, from Maharashtra to Kerala, small patches of forest have survived for centuries under community protection. These are the sacred groves, known locally by different names such as kavu in Kerala, devarakadu in Karnataka, and devrai in Maharashtra. Though they vary in size and management style, their unifying feature is that they are traditionally protected due to religious or cultural beliefs.
Many of these groves are associated with local deities, ancestral spirits, or natural forces such as snakes and fertility symbols. Cutting trees, hunting animals, or disturbing the vegetation is often considered taboo. What began as spiritual reverence has had a clear ecological outcome: these areas have acted as refuges for native flora and fauna, preserving biodiversity even in regions with heavy agricultural or plantation development.
Ecological Importance of Sacred Groves
The Western Ghats are one of the world’s eight recognized “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity. They contain a wide range of habitats and many endemic species of plants, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Within this context, sacred groves play a critical supporting role.
Studies by research organizations such as the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and the French Institute of Pondicherry have documented that sacred groves often contain species that have disappeared from nearby managed forests. They serve as small-scale gene pools, preserving the genetic diversity of forest plants and providing habitats for pollinators, birds, and small mammals.
Because they are scattered across agricultural landscapes, sacred groves also act as ecological corridors or “stepping stones,” enabling the movement of wildlife between larger forest fragments. In regions with high habitat fragmentation, these small patches contribute significantly to ecological connectivity.
Links Between Culture and Conservation
The relationship between people and sacred groves is an example of how cultural values can align with ecological outcomes. Communities have long regarded these forests as living entities, not simply as resources. Religious festivals or rituals conducted within or near these groves often reinforce traditional rules that restrict exploitation.
Although the motivations are cultural, the effects align with conservation goals. The absence of logging and land conversion maintains canopy cover, stabilizes soil, and preserves the natural hydrology of the area. In many groves, researchers have recorded higher soil moisture and cooler microclimates compared with adjacent farmland, which helps maintain local water balance and biodiversity.
Challenges and Decline
Despite their ecological and cultural value, many sacred groves are under pressure. Field surveys in Kerala, for example, indicate a steady decline in the number and size of groves due to urbanization, plantation expansion, and changing social attitudes. The French Institute of Pondicherry reported that a large proportion of Kerala’s sacred groves have either disappeared or been reduced to fragments in the past century.
Traditional protection is weakening in some areas as younger generations move away from ritual-based customs. Without active management or legal recognition, groves are vulnerable to encroachment and degradation. Additionally, air and water pollution from surrounding land uses can alter their ecological balance, reducing their effectiveness as biodiversity refuges.
Modern Conservation Efforts
Several initiatives now aim to integrate sacred groves into broader conservation planning. In Maharashtra, for instance, documentation projects have mapped and cataloged local groves to support legal and community protection. In Kerala and Karnataka, non-governmental organizations and forest departments have collaborated with local panchayats to restore degraded groves by reintroducing native species and improving water management.
Researchers have also proposed including sacred groves in climate and biodiversity monitoring programs, given their potential role in carbon storage and habitat connectivity. Some ecologists view them as models for community-led conservation, combining traditional belief systems with contemporary environmental management.
Why They Matter
Sacred groves may be small in area, but their ecological value is significant. They harbor old-growth tree species, maintain pollinator populations, and protect sources of streams and wells. For travelers or students of ecology, visiting a sacred grove provides a window into how local traditions can function as long-term conservation mechanisms.
Unlike formal protected areas managed by government agencies, these forests are rooted in community ownership and cultural respect. This local stewardship is what has allowed many groves to endure, even where other forests have vanished.
Looking Ahead
The future of sacred groves depends on maintaining both their ecological and cultural relevance. Scientific recognition alone cannot sustain them without local engagement, and rituals alone may not protect them from economic pressure. The most effective approach combines ecological research, cultural preservation, and community participation.
For researchers, sacred groves represent natural laboratories to study resilience and species persistence in fragmented landscapes. For sustainable travelers and nature enthusiasts, they offer a chance to witness how centuries-old traditions continue to shape the biodiversity of one of the world’s richest ecosystems.
By respecting these small forests and supporting the communities that care for them, we help preserve a unique link between people and nature across the Western Ghats.