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Researchers Warn Of Threats To Sacred Groves In Andhra Pradesh
Visakhapatnam: The sacred groves of Andhra Pradesh, as popular as the Pavithravanams, have long been cherished as sanctuaries of faith and tradition. A recent study documented 378 plant species in a single sacred grove in Anantapur district, highlighting their ecological importance.
Researchers warn that many sacred groves are becoming increasingly vulnerable to development pressures and cultural change.
A floristic survey conducted at the Penna Ahobilam Sacred Grove between 2018 and 2026 and published in the European Journal of Ecology, Biology and Agriculture recorded 49 tree species, 56 shrubs, 235 herbs and 38 climbers, all belonging to 220 genera and 54 families.
The research highlights the grove’s diverse vegetation and describes it as a remnant of tropical dry deciduous forest containing rocky hills, seasonal streams, and microhabitats that support native and medicinal plants. Documented species include neem, banyan, peepal, tamarind, black plum and Indian beech.
Similarly, researchers point out that Andhra Pradesh is home to 730 documented sacred groves dedicated to local deities and Hindu Gods such as Shiva, Hanuman, Saraswati, Gangamma and Narasimha. These patches of forest have been preserved for generations through traditional beliefs and community customs. They served as repositories of native flora and fauna. These have become not only cultural landmarks but also ecological entities that protect endemic species, regulate microclimates, store carbon and act as biodiversity hotspots that preserve traditional ecological knowledge.
But researchers caution that the long-term survival of many of these groves is in danger. Expansion and modernization of temples, removal of natural vegetation and various development activities reduce the ecological value of temples. Researchers underline that sacred groves continue to be important refuges for plant species, but their protection can no longer be based solely on tradition.
The report on Pavithravanams proposes a combined approach that integrates community-led conservation practices with scientific management for the conservation of these ecosystems. Such an approach is necessary to ensure that Pavithravanams continue to serve both spiritual and ecological roles for future generations.
Experts say the study’s findings highlight the urgent need for awareness and action, reminding policymakers and communities that Andhra Pradesh’s sacred groves are not just relics of faith but also living reservoirs of biodiversity whose protection is vital in an age of rapid change.
A floristic survey conducted at the Penna Ahobilam Sacred Grove between 2018 and 2026 and published in the European Journal of Ecology, Biology and Agriculture recorded 49 tree species, 56 shrubs, 235 herbs and 38 climbers, all belonging to 220 genera and 54 families.
The research highlights the grove’s diverse vegetation and describes it as a remnant of tropical dry deciduous forest containing rocky hills, seasonal streams, and microhabitats that support native and medicinal plants. Documented species include neem, banyan, peepal, tamarind, black plum and Indian beech.
Similarly, researchers point out that Andhra Pradesh is home to 730 documented sacred groves dedicated to local deities and Hindu Gods such as Shiva, Hanuman, Saraswati, Gangamma and Narasimha. These patches of forest have been preserved for generations through traditional beliefs and community customs. They served as repositories of native flora and fauna. These have become not only cultural landmarks but also ecological entities that protect endemic species, regulate microclimates, store carbon and act as biodiversity hotspots that preserve traditional ecological knowledge.
But researchers caution that the long-term survival of many of these groves is in danger. Expansion and modernization of temples, removal of natural vegetation and various development activities reduce the ecological value of temples. Researchers underline that sacred groves continue to be important refuges for plant species, but their protection can no longer be based solely on tradition.
The report on Pavithravanams proposes a combined approach that integrates community-led conservation practices with scientific management for the conservation of these ecosystems. Such an approach is necessary to ensure that Pavithravanams continue to serve both spiritual and ecological roles for future generations.
Experts say the study’s findings highlight the urgent need for awareness and action, reminding policymakers and communities that Andhra Pradesh’s sacred groves are not just relics of faith but also living reservoirs of biodiversity whose protection is vital in an age of rapid change.
