sacred groves
Sacred Grove called as Devrai; is a well protected piece of forest preserved traditionally by communities in reference of some deity. These sacred groves form important repositories of forest biodiversity and provide refuge to many plants and animal species having conservation significance.
The significance of Sacred Groves in Konkan is considerable. These forest patches protected for deities provide vital ecosystem services to Katkari tribes living around the sacred groves. In some parts of Konkan every village has at least one sacred grove. Sacred groves are the cultural landmarks and are epicenter of many festivals and celebrations.
Recently with the advent of modernization and urbanization, the traditional conservation practice is endangered. Nearly all of the species found inside the sacred groves are exploited for use, and there is a fear that many of the rate and endangered species would get extinct. Sacred groves form an important landscape feature in the deforested hill ranges of the Western Ghats.
