Preserving Nature through Faith: A Case Study of Sacred Groves in Kerala

Abstract

India is a mega-diverse country in terms of biodiversity, communities, cultures, languages and traditions. Western Ghats of India, amongst 36 global biodiversity hotspots, extends in six states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Kerala, the southernmost state of India, has a rich culture and heritage which is deeply connected with nature. Traditions of Kerala involve worshipping various components of nature including plants, animals, rivers and mountains etc. and one such century long tradition is protection of specific forest areas, known as sacred groves. These forest areas are considered sacred because of the presence of shrines of deities and are worshipped by certain communities. Among these grooves, Serpent worship is the most prevalent practice, leading to the identification of these groves as "Sarpa Kaavu." The whole grove is considered as a unique ecosystem with water bodies and rich endemic plant species making some sort protective web for animals inhabit the area. Over time many such sacred groves were converted to temples to preserve and conserve the ecosystem. In the past, traditional socio-cultural practices aim to integrate nature conservation with socio-cultural aspects. The study explores profound significance of sacred groves and how the associated rituals and beliefs contribute to safeguarding the natural environment on a larger scale. The study reveals the multitude of myths and folklore linked to these groves, resulting in people being involved in conserving the forest and biodiversity of the region. In conclusion, these groves not only endure as a socio-cultural legacy carrying traditions from thousands of years ago but also an integral component to achieve sustainability.

Keywords- Culture, Traditional Knowledge, Sacred groove, Kerala, Ecology and Environment