Abstract

A REVIEW ON EXPLORING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SACRED GROVES IN VIRUDHUNAGAR DISTRICT

S. Balajothi* and N. Nirmal Kumar

Abstract

The Indian sub-continent has a very rich diversity of plant species in a wide range of ecosystems. There are about 17, 000 species of higher plants, of which approximately 8,000 species are considered medicinal and used by village communities, particularly tribal communities, or in traditional medicinal systems, such as the Ayurveda (Pei, 2001). Many of the wild plants are endemic and are found only in specific ecological niches. Due to the 250 per cent increase in human and livestock populations in the 20th century and the subsequent pressure on available land, which has lead to deforestation and land degradation, many species or populations of species are now threatened with extinction, because their natural habitats are being destroyed. Almost all medicinal plant raw materials in India are collected from wild populations. This has led to the unsustainable exploitation of many of the plants. The growing interest in traditional herbal medicine will lead to a further increase in the demand for medicinal plants.Sacred groves are areas of forest in tamilnadu also known as Kovilkadu. Traditionally that is conserved by local communities due to their religious, cultural or spiritual importance. They can be found in different region in the world. These groves act as vital role biodiversity hotspots, preserving local plant and animal species. They also play an important role in maintaining ecological stability, protecting water source and preventing soil erosion, create environmental awareness, research and conservation studies. In tamilnadu's Virudhunagar district, sacred groves are important part of the area's ecological and cultural landscape. These groves maintained by local communities and traditional knowledge to prevent the cutting trees and hunting animal forms of exploitation are restricted. As from 2011, the Forest Department of Tamil Nadu, in partnership with the C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre, recorded around 1,262 sacred groves throughout Tamil Nadu, with 431 of them situated in Virudhunagar district, encompassing a total land area of 556.58 hectares. In Virudhunagar district more specifically located Rajapalayam, Srivilliputhur and Vatrap range of forest.

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