What are sacred groves? What is their role in conservation?

• Sacred grooves are communally protected forest fragments that usually have a religious importance attached to it.


• In India sacred groves are found in certain regions of Rajasthan, Western Ghats of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and Madhya Pradesh.


• Sacred grooves help in protection of various rare and threatened species as deforestation is strictly restricted in such areas.


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