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{{Short description|Forest fragments of varying sizes}}
[[File:Ancient monoliths in Mawphlang sacred grove.jpg|thumb|Ancient monoliths in Mawphlang sacred grove, India]]
[[File:ChandodSacredGrove.jpg|thumb|''The Sacred Hindoo Grove near Chandod on the Banks of the Nerbudda'' by [[James Forbes (artist)|James Forbes]], 1782.]]

'''[[Sacred grove]]s of [[India]]''' are forest fragments of varying sizes, which are communally protected, and which usually have a significant religious connotation for the protecting community. Hunting and logging are usually strictly prohibited within these patches.<ref>Gadgil, M. and Vartak, V.D. ; Sacred groves of India : A plea for continued conservation
Journal of [[Bombay Natural History Society]], 72 : 314-320, 1975</ref> Other forms of forest usage like [[honey]] collection and [[Coarse woody debris|deadwood]] collection are sometimes allowed on a sustainable basis. NGOs work with local villagers to protect such groves. Traditionally, and in some cases even today, members of the community take turns to protect the grove.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Community Forest Management and Joint Forest Management; An Ecological, Economic and Institutional Assessment in Western Ghats, India |url=http://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/archive/00000166/00/sudha.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610012512/http://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/archive/00000166/00/sudha.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-06-10 |date=2007-06-10 |access-date=2018-08-07 }}</ref> The introduction of the protected area category [[Conservation reserves and community reserves of India|community reserves]] under the [[Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002]] has introduced legislation for providing government protection to community held lands, which could include sacred groves.

Around 14,000 sacred groves have been reported from all over India, which act as reservoirs of rare fauna, and more often rare flora, amid rural and even urban settings. Experts believe that the total number of sacred groves could be as high as 100,000. Threats to the groves include urbanization, and [[over-exploitation]] of resources. While many of the groves are looked upon as abode of [[List of Hindu deities|Hindu deities]], in the recent past a number of them have been partially cleared for construction of shrines and temples.<ref>Malhotra, K. C., Ghokhale, Y., Chatterjee, S. and Srivastava, S., Cultural and Ecological Dimensions of Sacred Groves in India, INSA, New Delhi, 2001</ref><ref name="ReferenceC">Ramachandra Guha, The Unquiet Woods, University of California Press, 2000 ({{ISBN|978-0520222359}})</ref> Sacred groves are places of [[yatra]] (pilgrimage) in [[Indian religions|Indian-origin religions]], such as [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]].

Indian sacred groves are often associated with [[List of Hindu temples|temples]], [[akhara|monasteries]], [[Samadhi (shrine)|shrines]], [[Hindu pilgrimage sites|pilgrimage sites]], or with burial grounds. Historically, sacred groves find their mentions in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist texts, from sacred tree groves in Hinduism to sacred bamboo groves and sacred deer parks in Buddhism for example.<ref name=remains>{{cite book|title=Buddhist remains in India|first=Dr. A.|last=Sen|publisher=Maha Bodhi Book Agency|location=Calcutta|year=2008|isbn=978-81-87032-78-6|pages=30–34}}</ref> Sacred groves may be loosely used to refer to natural habitat protected on religious grounds. Other historical references to sacred groves can be obtained in ''Vrukshayurveda'' an ancient treatise, ancient classics such as [[Kalidasa]]'s [[Vikramuurvashiiya]]. There has been a growing interest in creating green patches such as ''[[Nakshatravana]]'' grove.

==Uses of sacred groves==

===Traditional uses===

One of the most important traditional uses of sacred groves was that it acted as a repository for various [[Ayurvedic]] medicines. Other uses involved a source of replenishable resources like fruits and honey. In most sacred groves it was taboo to hunt or chop wood. The vegetation cover helps reduce soil erosion and prevents [[desertification]] as in [[Rajasthan]]. The groves are often associated with ponds and streams, and meet water requirements of local communities. They sometimes help in recharging [[aquifer]]s as well.

===Modern uses===

In modern times, sacred groves have become [[biodiversity hotspot]]s, as various species seek refuge in the areas due to progressive habitat destruction and hunting. Sacred groves often contain plant and animal species that have become extinct in neighboring areas. They therefore harbor great genetic diversity. Besides this, sacred groves in urban landscapes act as "lungs" to the city as well, providing much needed vegetation cover.

==Religious beliefs and practices==
[[File:Banyan tree at Kanhirathara, Chirakkal.jpg|thumbnail|Banyan Tree at a temple in [[Kannur]], India]]
[[File:Mawphlang Sacred Groves2.jpg|thumb|Sacred grove in Mawphlang, India.]]
[[File:Sacred grove surrounded by paddyfields Coorg.jpg|thumb|Sacred grove surrounded by paddy fields, India]]
Typically, sacred groves in [[Indian religions|Indian-origin religions]] are associated with the concept of a ''presiding deity''. Often these sacred deities are numerous nature spirits and guardians associated with [[Hindu mythology|Hindu]], [[Jainism|Jain]] and [[Buddhist mythology|Buddhist]] deities, such as nature spirits known as [[Yaksha]]s (numerous nature spirits), [[Nāga]]s (serpent guardians) and guardian tutelary deities (like ''ayyanar'' and ''amman'') are also known. There are over 1000 deities associated with sacred groves in the states of [[Kerala]] and [[Karnataka]] alone. A large number of distinct local art forms and folk traditions are associated with the deities of sacred groves, and are an important cultural aspect closely associated with sacred traditions. Ritualistic dances and dramatizations based on the local deities that protect the groves are called ''Theyyam'' in Kerala and ''Nagmandalam'', among other names, in [[Karnataka]]. Often, elaborate rituals and traditions are associated with sacred groves,<ref>Chris A. Gregory, [http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JSS/JSS-08-0-000-000-2004-Web/JSS-08-2-085-178-2004-Abst-PDF/JSS-08-2-093-104-2004-Gregory/JSS-08-2-093-104-2004-Gregory.pdf The Oral Epics of the Women of the Dandakaranya Plateau: A Preliminary Mapping], J. Soc. Sci., 8(2): 93-104 (2004)</ref> as are associated [[Folklore|folk tale]]s and folk mythology.

===Types of sacred forests===

The Hindu tradition considers forests to be of three types - ''Tapovan'', ''Mahavan'' and ''Sreevan''. ''Tapovan'' are forests associated with penance (''Tapas''), and are inhabited by saints and ''rishis''. ''Mahavan'' refers to the grand natural forests. ''Tapovan'' and ''Mahavan'' are considered to be a ''Raksha'' ("sanctuary") for flora and fauna as ordinary human beings are not allowed to enter these forests. ''Sreevan'', which means, "forests of the goddess of prosperity", consists of dense forests and groves. From the former, people would collect dry wood, leaves, forest produce and a limited amount of timber, though natural ecosystem would not be unnecessarily disturbed. Groves were considered as spaces of forests from where harvesting could be done. Sometimes, specific trees like mango trees could be planted and nurtured here. Groves were associated with religious rites, festivals and recreation. Typical recreational activities associated with these groves included ''jhoola''/ ''jhoolan''.<ref name="ReferenceA">Ranchor Prime, Vedic Ecology: Practical Wisdom for Surviving the 21st Century, Mandala Publishing, Novato, CA, 2002</ref> In the villages, ''Panchavati'', or a cluster of five trees that represented the forests, were maintained. These trees represented the five elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===Religious merits of planting and nurturing forests===

Planting and nurturing of trees has been a highly evolved practice in ancient India.<ref name="ReferenceB">Vrukshayurveda, authored by Surapala, translated by Nalini Sadhale, Agri-History Bulletin No.1, Asian Agri-History Foundation, Secunderabad</ref> ''Vrukshayurveda'', the science of plant life and also a 10th-century treatise of that title on the subject ascribed to Surapala, dealt with various species of trees and their growth. Verses 9-23 from this text indicate how mystical beliefs and conservation of ecology was inter-connected.

:''A person is honored in [[Vaikuntha]] for as many thousand years as the days they reside in a house where [[tulasi]] is grown.''

:''And if one properly grows [[bilva]], which pleases [[Lord Siva]], in their family, the goddess of riches resides permanently passes on to the sons and grandsons''

:''One who plants even a single [[Sacred Fig|asvattha]], wherever it may be, as per the prescribed mode, goes to the abode of Hari.''

:''One who has planted [[Phyllanthus emblica|dhatri]] has performed several sacrifices. They has donated the earth. They would be considered a liberated soul forever.''

:''One who plants a couple of [[banyan]] trees as per the prescribed mode would go to the abode of Siva.''

:''After planting [[neem]] trees a person well-versed in [[dharma]] attains the abode of Sun. Indeed! One resides there for a long period.''

:''By planting four [[plaksa]] trees a person doubtlessly obtains the fruits of [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice.''

:''One who plants five or six [[mango]] trees attains the abode of [[Garuda]] and lives happily forever like gods.''

:''One should plant seven [[Butea monosperma|palasa]] trees or even one. One attains the abode of [[Brahma]] and enjoys the company of gods by doing so.''

:''One who personally plants eight [[udumbara]] trees or even prompts someone to plant them, rejoices in the lunar world''

:''One who has planted [[Madhuca longifolia|madhuka]] has propitiated [[Parvati]], has become free from diseases, and has worshipped all deities.''

:''If one plants ksirini, dadimi, rambha, [[Buchanania cochinchinensis|priyala]], and panasa, one experiences no affliction for seven births.''

:''One who has knowingly or unknowingly planted ambu is respected as a recluse even while staying in the house.''

:''By planting all kinds of other trees, useful for fruits and flowers, a person gets a reward of thousand cows adorned with jewels.''

:''By planting one asvattha, one picumanda, one [[nyagrodha]], ten [[tamarind]] trees, the group of three, viz., kapittha, [[bilva]], and amalaka, and five [[mango]] trees, one never visits hell.''<ref name="ReferenceB"/>

==Locations of sacred groves==
[[File:Cedrus deodara Manali 2.jpg|thumb|Deodar ''Devban'' grove in Himachal Pradesh, India.]]

===Distribution of sacred groves in India ===

Sacred groves are scattered all over the country, and are referred to by different names in different parts of India. Sacred groves occur in a variety of places – from [[Deserts and xeric shrublands|scrub forest]]s in the [[Thar Desert]] of [[Rajasthan]] maintained by the [[Bishnoi]]s, to [[rain forest]]s in the [[Western Ghats]] of [[Kerala]]. [[Himachal Pradesh]] in the north and [[Kerala]] in the south are specifically known for their large numbers of sacred groves.<ref>A [http://www.cseindia.org/dte-supplement/forest20031231/forest-index.htm series] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203075638/http://cseindia.org/dte-supplement/forest20031231/forest-index.htm |date=2007-02-03 }} of articles in the journal ''Down to Earth'' on sacred groves</ref> The [[Gurjar]] people of Rajasthan have a unique practice of [[Azadirachta indica|neem (Azadirachta indica)]] planting and worshipping as abode of God [[Devnarayan]]. Thus, a Gurjjar settlement appears like a human-inhabited sacred grove.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_es/t_es_pande_forest.htm |title = Sacred Forestry}}</ref> Similarly [[Mangar Bani]], last surviving natural forest of Delhi is protected by Gurjars of nearby area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ngtba.org/index.php/news?start=190 |title=News |access-date=2014-05-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002326/http://www.ngtba.org/index.php/news?start=190 |archive-date=2016-03-04 }}</ref> 14,000 sacred groves have been reported from all over India, which act as reservoirs of rare fauna, and more often rare flora, amid rural and even urban settings. Experts believe that the total number of sacred groves could be as high as 100,000.<ref name = "mal">Malhotra, K. C., Ghokhale, Y., Chatterjee, S. and Srivastava, S., Cultural and
Ecological Dimensions of Sacred Groves in India, INSA, New Delhi, 2001</ref><ref name="ReferenceC"/>

It is estimated that around 1000 km² of unexploited land is inside sacred groves. Some of the more famous groves are the ''kavu''s of Kerala, which are located in the Western Ghats and have enormous biodiversity; and the ''law kyntang''s of [[Meghalaya]] – sacred groves associated with every village (two large groves being in [[Mawphlang]]<ref>[http://megtourism.gov.in/ecodestination.html Eco Destination . Mawphlang Sacred Forest]</ref> and Mausmai) to appease the forest spirit.

===Summary of number of sacred groves by states in India ===

Among the largest sacred groves of India are the ones in Hariyali, near [[Gauchar]] in [[Chamoli District]] of [[Uttarakhand]], and the [[Cedrus deodara|Deodar]] grove in Shipin near [[Shimla|Simla]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]]. Seeing the importance of sacred groves and other [[Sacred natural site|sacred natural sites]] in having conserved biodiversity all across the Himalayas, the intergovernmental organization [[ICIMOD]] developed and published a framework in 2016, to assess the present day significance of such sites for their integration into formal conservation and development frameworks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandey |first=Abhimanyu |last2=Kotru |first2=Rajan |last3=Pradhan |first3=Nawraj |date=2016 |title=A Framework for the Assessment of Cultural Ecosystem Services of Sacred Natural Sites in the Hindu Kush Himalayas; Based on fieldwork in the Kailash Sacred Landscape regions of India and Nepal - ICIMOD Working Paper 2016/8 {{!}} HimalDoc |url=https://lib.icimod.org/record/32317 |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=lib.icimod.org |language=en}}</ref>

All numbers are quoted from the records of the ''C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre'' of the Government of India. Starred numbers are likely to increase. The centre also maintains a complete list of identified sacred groves in India, most of which is online.<ref>[http://ecoheritage.cpreec.org/innerpageof.php?$mFJyBfKPkE6 Database] at the CPR Environmental Education Centre</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope = "col" | State
! scope = "col" | No of groves
! scope = "col" | Local name
! scope = "col" class = "unsortable"| References
|-
| [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| 691
| ''Pavitraskhetralu''
| Kailash C. Malhotra et al.<ref name="himalayanconnections.org">Kailash C. Malhotra, Yogesh Gokhale, Sudipto Chatterjee, and Sanjeev Srivastava (2001). ''Cultural and Ecological Dimensions of Sacred Groves in India''. Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal. {{cite web |url=http://himalayanconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Malhotra_2001_CultureEcologySacredGrovesIndia_IAS.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-07-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808033418/http://himalayanconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Malhotra_2001_CultureEcologySacredGrovesIndia_IAS.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-08 }}</ref>
|-
| [[Arunachal Pradesh]]
| 65
| ''Gumpa forests'' (since attached to monasteries)
| Dudley et al.<ref name = "gum">
Ed. N. Dudley, L. Higgins-Zogib, and S. Mansourian;
[http://www.arcworld.org/downloads/WWF%20Beyond%20Belief.pdf The Arguments for Protection Series - Beyond Belief: Linking faiths and protected areas to support biodiversity conservation], pp. 91-95; World Wide Fund for Nature, 2005 ({{ISBN|2-88085-270-6}})</ref>
|-
| [[Assam]]
| 40
| ''Than'', ''Madaico''
|
|-
| [[Chhattisgarh]]
| 600*
| ''Sarna'', ''Devlas'', ''Mandar'', ''Budhadev''
|
|-
|[[Goa]]
| NA*
|
| SERBC document <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040530233156/http://www.serbc.info/public/ser_seminar/webex/rseaton-2_0403251550-322 Website] of the Sacred
Grove Restoration Project, Society for Ecological Restoration</ref>
|-
| [[Gujarat]]
| 42*
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sacred Groves in Gujarat|url=http://www.cpreecenvis.nic.in/Database/sacred_1617.aspx|url-status=live|website=C. P. R. Environmental Education Centre, Chennai}}</ref>
|-
| [[Haryana]]
| 248
| ''Beed'' or ''Bid'' (बीड़), Bani (बणी), Bann (बण), Janglat (जंगलात), Shamlat (शामलात)
|
|-
| [[Himachal Pradesh]]
| 329
| ''Dev Kothi'', ''Devban'', ''Bakhu Devban
|<ref>http://www.cpreecenvis.nic.in/Database/HimachalPradesh_2228.aspx {{Dead link|date=August 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[Jharkhand]]
| 21*
| ''Sarna''
more than 500 " Jaherthan" in Godda of Jharkhand
| Marine Carrin <ref>Marine Carrin, [http://www.sociology.ed.ac.uk/sas/papers/panel20_carrin.rtf Santal autonomy as a social ecology]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }},
16th European Conference on Modern South Asian Studies, Edinburgh, 2000</ref>
|-
| [[Karnataka]]
| 1424
| ''Devarakadu'', ''Devkad''
| Gadgil et al.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ignca.nic.in/cd_08008.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331212350/http://www.ignca.nic.in/cd_08008.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-03-31|title=Sacred Groves and Sacred Trees of Uttara Kannada|date=2017-03-31|access-date=2018-08-07}}</ref>
|-
| [[Kerala]]
| 2000
| ''Kavu'', ''Sarpa Kavu''
| M. Jayarajan <ref>M. Jayarajan, [http://krpcds.org/publication/downloads/92.pdf Sacred Groves of North Malabar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326054142/http://krpcds.org/publication/downloads/92.pdf |date=2009-03-26 }}, Kerala Research Programme on Local Level Development, Centre for Development
Studies, Thiruvananthapuram ({{ISBN|81-87621-95-8}})
</ref>
|-
| [[Maharashtra]]
| 2820
| ''Deorai''/''Devrai'' 
([[Pune District|Pune]], [[Ratnagiri District|Ratnagiri]], 
[[Raigarh District|Raigarh]], [[Kolhapur District|Kolhapur]] [[Sindhudurg district|Sindhudurg]], [[Ahmednagar district|Ahmednagar]], [[Thane district|Thane]]
districts)
| Waghchaure et al.<ref>Waghchaure, Chandrakant K.; Tetali, Pundarikakshudu; Gunale, Venkat R.; Antia, Noshir H.; Birdi, Tannaz J.,
[http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/index/GM4026112LVK5057.pdf Sacred Groves of Parinche Valley of Pune District of Maharashtra, India and their Importance]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }},
Anthropology & Medicine, Volume 13, Number 1, April 2006, pp. 55-76(22)</ref> Envis<ref name="Envis">{{cite web |last1=C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre, Chennai |title=Sacred Groves - Maharashtra |url=http://www.cpreecenvis.nic.in/Database/SacredGrovesinMaharashtra_887.aspx |website=www.cpreecenvis.nic.in |publisher=Govt. of India |access-date=28 December 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[Manipur]]
| 365
| '''Umang Lai''', ''Gamkhap'', ''Mauhak'' (sacred [[bamboo]] reserves)
| '''Khumbongmayum''' et al.<ref>Khumbongmayum, M.D., Khan, M.L., and Tripath, R.S,
[http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/aug252004/430.pdf Sacred groves of Manipur – ideal centres for biodiversity conservation],
Current Science, Vol 87, No 4, 25 Aug 2004</ref>
|-
| [[Meghalaya]]
| 79
| ''Law Kyntang'', ''Law Lyngdoh''
| Upadhyay et al.<ref>Upadhaya, K.; Pandey, H.N. 2; Law, P.S.; Tripathi, R.S;
[https://doi.org/10.1023%2FA%3A1022401012824 Tree diversity in sacred groves of the Jaintia hills in Meghalaya, northeast India], Biodiversity and Conservation, Volume 12, Number 3, March 2003, pp. 583-597(15)</ref>
|-
| [[Orissa, India|Orissa]]
| 322*
| ''Jahera'', ''Thakuramma''
|
|-
| [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]
| 108
| ''Kovil Kadu''
| Ramanujam et al.<ref>
M.P. Ramanujam and K. Praveen Kumar Cyril,
[https://doi.org/10.1023%2FA%3A1021926002101 Woody species diversity of four sacred groves in the Pondicherry region of South India],
Biomedical and Life Sciences and Earth and Environmental Science, Volume 12, Number 2 / February, 2003,
Springer Netherlands
</ref>
|-
| [[Rajasthan]]
| 9*
| ''Oran'' ([[Jaiselmer]], [[Jodhpur]], [[Bikaner]]), ''Kenkri'' ([[Ajmer]]), ''Vani'' ([[Mewar]]), ''Shamlat deh'', ''Devbani'' ([[Alwar]]), ''Jogmaya''
|
|-
| [[Sikkim]]
| 56
| ''Gumpa forests'' (since attached to monasteries)
| S. S. Dash <ref>
S. S. Dash,
[http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/aug102005/427.pdf Kabi sacred grove of North Sikkim]
Current Science, Vol 89, No 3, 10 Aug 2005
</ref> 
Dudley et al.<ref name = "gum"/>
|-
| [[Tamil Nadu]]
| 503
| ''Kovil Kadu''
| M. Amrithalingam <ref>
M. Amirthalingam, Sacred Groves of Tamil Nadu – A Survey, CPR Environmental Education Centre, Chennai, India, p. 191, 1998</ref>
|-
| [[Telangana]]
| 65
|
| Kailash C. Malhotra et al.<ref name="himalayanconnections.org"/>
|-
| [[Uttarakhand]]
| 18*
| ''Devbhumi'', Baun, ''Bugyal'' (sacred alpine meadows)
| Anthwal et al.<ref>
Ashish Anthwal, Ramesh C. Sharma, and Archana Sharma,
[http://www.americanscience.org/journals/am-sci/0202/07-0114-anthwal.doc Sacred Groves: Traditional Way of Conserving Plant Diversity in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttaranchal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706223523/http://www.americanscience.org/journals/am-sci/0202/07-0114-anthwal.doc |date=2007-07-06 }},
The Journal of American Science, 2(2), 2006, Anthwal et al., Sacred Groves: Conserving Plant Diversity
</ref>
|-
| [[West Bengal]]
| 670*
| ''Garamthan'', ''Harithan'', ''Jahera'', ''Sabitrithan'', ''Santalburithan''
| R. K. Bhakat <ref>
Ram Kumar Bhakat,
Socio-religious and ecological perspective of a sacred grove from Midnapore district, West Bengal,
Science and Culture (Sci. Cult.), 2003, vol. 69, no 11-12, pp. 371-374
</ref>
|}

===Select examples of sacred groves ===
[[File:Kavu.jpg|thumb|Mannan Purath Kavu, [[Nileshwaram]]]]

* Sarpa Kavu: A Sarpakkavu or Snake Grove is a kind of holy grove found in Kerala. [[Kavu]] is the traditional name given for Sacred groves across the [[Malabar Coast]] in [[Kerala]], [[South India]].<ref>M. Jayarajan, [http://krpcds.org/publication/downloads/92.pdf Sacred Groves of North Malabar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326054142/http://krpcds.org/publication/downloads/92.pdf |date=2009-03-26 }}, Kerala Research Programme on Local Level Development, Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram ({{ISBN|81-87621-95-8}})</ref> Kavus are notable for [[Theyyam]], the centuries-old ritual dance.
* [[Umang Lai]] (literally, "Forest Deities"): A form of holy [[Sacred grove]] found in [[Manipur]].<ref>http://www.cpreecenvis.nic.in/Database/Manipur_890.aspx {{Dead link|date=August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ostromworkshop.indiana.edu/library/node/20894 |title=Sacred Groves of Manipur, Northeast India: Biodiversity Value, Status and Strategies for Their Conservation | Ostrom Workshop |access-date=2019-10-21 |archive-date=2019-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021145019/https://ostromworkshop.indiana.edu/library/node/20894 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are more than 365 Umang Lais, affiliated to the ancient religion of [[Sanamahism]], which exists in various regions scattered across the Northeastern state of Manipur since ancient times. The holy as well as religious festival of [[Lai Haraoba]] is celebrated especially in regards of these holy sacred groves.<ref name="thebetterindia.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/101103/lai-haraoba-help-manipur-become-sports-superpower/ |title=Lai Haraoba – Connecting Manipur's Mythology and Its Martial Art |website=www.thebetterindia.com |date= 22 May 2017 |author=Milaap |access-date= 18 January 2021}}</ref> The accounts of these holy sacred groves are found in the ancient [[Puya (Meitei texts)|Manipuri Manuscript]] named Karthong Lamlen. Interestingly, Manipur stands 8th rank among all the Indian States and 1st rank for [[North East India]], for having highest number of [[sacred groves]] across the country.

==Threats==
[[File:Threats.jpg|thumb|Threats – mining projects]]

Threats to the grove include [[urbanization]], [[over-exploitation]] of resources (like [[overgrazing]] and excessive firewood collection), and environmental destruction due to religious practices. Other threats to the sacred groves include invasion by [[invasive species]], like the [[invasive weed]]s ''[[Chromolaena odorata]]'', ''[[Lantana camara]]'' and ''[[Prosopis juliflora]]''.

== See also ==

* India related
** [[Bodhi Tree]]
** [[Environment of India]]
** [[List of Banyan trees in India]]
* Sacred related
** [[Sacred groves]]
** [[Sacred mountains]]
** [[Sacred natural site]]
** [[River#Sacred|Sacred rivers]]
** [[Sacred site]]
** [[Sacred trees]]
** [[Tree hugger (disambiguation)]]
** [[Tree worship]]
* General
** [[List of types of formally designated forests]]
** [[List of superlative trees|Superlative trees]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* [http://google.com/search?q=cache:k5aD-8ZEqdcJ:www.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/sahyadri_enews/newsletter/issue30/M%2520D%2520S%2520Chandran.pdf+%22+Ankola+High+Forests%22&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-a Shifting Cultivation, Sacred Groves and Conflicts in Colonial Forest Policy in the Western Ghats.] M. D. Subash Chandran; Chapter Twenty-two. PDF [http://www.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/sahyadri_enews/newsletter/issue30/M%20D%20S%20Chandran.pdf]
* [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:gLUpPqllKpQJ:www.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/sahyadri_enews/newsletter/issue4/Yogesh_CEdimensions.pdf+Floristic+elements+and+distribution+pattern+in+the+flora+of+Chotanagpur+%28Bihar%29+India&hl=en&gl=ca&sig=AHIEtbQIfGI5RwxoADEO9H5tn-PQY4ZvtA CULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF SACRED GROVES IN INDIA] By Kailash C. Malhotra, Yogesh Gokhale, Sudipto Chatterjee, Sanjeev Srivastava. Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi & Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal; June, 2001. Published by: Indian National Science Academy, Bhopal. Printed at : Nirmal Vijay Printer, New Delhi. PDF [http://www.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/sahyadri_enews/newsletter/issue4/Yogesh_CEdimensions.pdf]
* [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:6GXHNAHh4BMJ:wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/sahyadri_enews/newsletter/issue4/Yogesh_Anno_bib.pdf+Floristic+elements+and+distribution+pattern+in+the+flora+of+Chotanagpur+%28Bihar%29+India&hl=en&gl=ca&sig=AHIEtbTV62SpR0jZ-8bC4bOMZHXjgHf8Lw SACRED GROVES OF INDIA : AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY]; By Kailash C. Malhotra, Yogesh Gokhale, Ketaki Das. INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY AND DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE; © Development Alliance, New Delhi (www.dev-alliance.com); August, 2001. PDF [http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/sahyadri_enews/newsletter/issue4/Yogesh_Anno_bib.pdf]
* [http://www.ecoheritage.cpreec.org/Viewcontall.php?$mFiHPEyWNks6UXr4nWz SACRED GROVES SOURCES]; ENVIS; C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre is a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.
* [http://www.ecoheritage.cpreec.org/index.php ENVIS Centre on Conservation of Ecological Heritage and Sacred Sights of India]; ENVIS; C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre is a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. Home page [http://www.ecoheritage.cpreec.org/index.php]

{{Worship in Hinduism}}
{{Tourism in India}}

[[Category:Sacred groves of India| ]]
[[Category:Communal forests of India]]
[[Category:Indian traditions]]
[[Category:Sacred groves]]
[[Category:Sacred trees in Hinduism]]

Sacred groves of India - Revision history

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