Explanation:

• Sacred groves comprise of patches of forests or natural vegetation ranging from a few trees to forests of several acres, that are usually dedicated to local folk deities.
• These spaces are protected by local communities because of their religious beliefs and traditional rituals that run through several generations.
• The degree of sanctity of the sacred forests varies from one grove to another. In some forests, even the dry foliage and fallen fruits are not touched.
• These are classi fi ed into the following three categories:
• Traditional Sacred Groves: It is the place where the village deity resides, who is represented by an elementary Symbol.
• Temple Groves: Here a grove is created around a temple and conserved.
• Groves around the burial or cremation grounds.