Brief Account of Sacred Groves of more than 50 Years Old along with an Assessment of their Biological Diversity from Murshidabad District, West Bengal

Abstract

Sacred groves or traditional forest reserves are unique forest patches that have survived due to strong cultural forces. They are a biological heritage that has helped to preserve the representative genetic resources existing in the surrounding regions for generations.They may vary in size from a few trees to dense forests covering extensive tracts of land. But they are the ideal centre for biodiversity conservation preserving the local flora and fauna. The religious beliefs help to create an undisturbed patch of land with respect to the surrounding areas. Various plants and animals that are threatened in the forest are well conserved within these patches. These areas also provide habitat, water and nest-sites for many species of wildlife and birds. In fact, sacred groves are community based monuments of biological diversity. Culture and indigenous knowledge have played an increasingly important role in conservation and resource management approaches within sacred groves. In this present investigation a consolidated list of flora and fauna conserved in sacred groves of Murshidabad district of West Bengal, which are more than 50 years old, is communicated.