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♤ Sacred groves comprise of patches of forests or natural vegetation - 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.
♤ People believe that any kind of disturbance will offend the local deity, causing diseases, natural calamities or failure of crops. For example, the Garo and the Khasi tribes of northeastern India completely prohibit any human interference in the sacred groves. In other groves, deadwood or dried leaves may be picked up, but the live tree or its branches are never cut. For example, the Gonds of central India prohibit the cutting of a tree but allow fallen parts to be used.