Question

Read the given source and answer the questions that follow:

Sacred Groves, a wealth of diverse and rare species

Nature worship is an age old tribal belief based on the premise that all creations of nature have to be protected. Such beliefs have preserved several virgin forests in pristine form called Sacred Groves (the forests of God and Goddesses). These patches of forest or parts of large forests have been left untouched by the local people and any interference with them is banned. Certain societies revere a particular tree which they have preserved from time immemorial. The Mundas and the Santhal of Chota Nagpur region worship mahua (Bassia latifolia) and kadamba (Anthocaphalus cadamba) trees, and the tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship the tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and mango (Mangifera indica) trees during weddings. To many of us, peepal and banyan trees are considered sacred. Indian society comprises several cultures, each with its own set of traditional methods of conserving nature and its creations. Sacred qualities are often ascribed to springs, mountain peaks, plants and animals which are closely protected. You will find troops of macaques and langurs around many temples. They are fed daily and treated as a part of temple devotees. In and around Bishnoi villages in Rajasthan, herds of blackbuck (chinkara), nilgai and peacocks can be seen as an integral part of the community and nobody harms them.

1. How do sacred groves show the inter-connectivity of spirituality and ecology?  1
2. How do tribal practices promote conservation of forests?  1
3. Why is conservation of wildlife important for all of us? Explain.  2

Answer 1

1. Sacred groves show the close relationship between spirituality and ecology, as religious beliefs encourage the protection of forests. Since these areas are considered sacred, they are preserved, helping conserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.
2. Tribal communities play an important role in forest conservation by worshipping and protecting certain trees. Their customs, such as safeguarding sacred groves and specific plant species, contribute to the protection of biodiversity and ecological stability.
3. Wildlife conservation is essential for maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. It supports agriculture, prevents environmental damage, and ensures the survival of different species, thereby benefiting present and future generations.