Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

THE SACRED FLORA OF INDIA: A CASE FOR BIODIVERSITYCONSERVATION

Niraj Kumar Singh

Abstract

In ancient Greece, the spirit of conservation of plants and animals was represented by the Goddess Artemis.Numerous ancient Greek texts testify the role played by Artemis in the protection of plant and animal lifeand the same has been depicted in paintings and sculpture of the succeeding period. In India people havebeen worshipping forces and elements of nature from the time of the ancient Indus Valley civilizationthrough various sculptural artefacts like the seals and figurines. Vedic texts, the Ramayana and Mahabharataas well as other religious texts and treatises are full of examples of interdependence on nature. To this day,plants and animals are worshipped throughout the length and breadth of the country. From the Himalayanlandscape in the north and north-east to the southernmost tip of the country, from Eastern to the WesternGhats, people and societies have evolved religio-cultural mechanism for the conservation of natural habitatby way of sacred trees and sacred grooves. Sacred plants like Pipal, Banyan, Siris, Neem, Khejri etc. toanimals are all revered by the people of the subcontinent. Protection of these sacred species through religiousand cultural practices has resulted in their conservation and enrichment of the biodiversity of the regionwhich is very crucial for the overall livelihood of all living beings. The present paper, thus seeks to exploresome of these traits and mechanisms through which the rich biodiversity of the region has been ensured. Itis interesting to note here that people have made it a part of their lives and internalised these practices sothat a better liveable environment is ensured. The onslaught of modernity and development, however, haseroded many of these practices leading to loss of flora and fauna which has ultimately led to many manmadecrises and has disturbed the equilibrium of the planet. The attempt, therefore, should be to ensure thebalance of nature through our long-standing cultural practices in order to avert any catastrophe.