Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh’s sacred groves, popular as Pavithravanams, have long been cherished as sanctuaries of faith and tradition. A recent study emphasised their ecological importance, while documenting 378 plant species in a single sacred grove in Anantapur district.
Researchers warn that many of the sacred grove sites are becoming increasingly vulnerable to development pressures and cultural changes.
A floristic survey of the Penna Ahobilam Sacred Grove conducted 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 survey highlights the grove’s diverse vegetation, describing it as a remnant patch of tropical dry deciduous forest featuring rocky hills, seasonal streams, and microhabitats that support native and medicinal plants. Among the documented species are neem, banyan, peepal, tamarind, black plum, and Indian beech.
Likewise, researchers point to Andhra Pradesh being home to 730 documented sacred groves, dedicated to local deities and Hindu Gods, such as Shiva, Hanuman, Saraswati, Gangamma, and Narasimha. These forest patches have been protected for generations through customary beliefs and community traditions. They have served as repositories of native flora and fauna. They have become not only cultural landmarks but also ecological assets, acting as biodiversity hotspots that conserve endemic species, regulate microclimates, store carbon, and preserve traditional ecological knowledge.
Researchers, however, point out that the long-term survival of many of these groves is in jeopardy. The expansion and modernisation of temples, removal of native vegetation, and various developmental activities, are diminishing their ecological value. Researchers underline that while sacred groves remain critical refuges of plant species, their protection can no longer rely solely on tradition.
The report on Pavithravanams recommends a combined approach that integrates community-led conservation practices with scientific management for safeguarding these ecosystems. Such an approach is essential to ensure that Pavithravanams continue to serve both spiritual and ecological roles for future generations.
Experts say the study’s findings highlight an urgent need for awareness and action, reminding policymakers and communities that Andhra Pradesh’s sacred groves are not merely relics of faith, but living reservoirs of biodiversity whose preservation is crucial in an era of rapid change.
A floristic survey of the Penna Ahobilam Sacred Grove conducted 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 survey highlights the grove’s diverse vegetation, describing it as a remnant patch of tropical dry deciduous forest featuring rocky hills, seasonal streams, and microhabitats that support native and medicinal plants. Among the documented species are neem, banyan, peepal, tamarind, black plum, and Indian beech.
Likewise, researchers point to Andhra Pradesh being home to 730 documented sacred groves, dedicated to local deities and Hindu Gods, such as Shiva, Hanuman, Saraswati, Gangamma, and Narasimha. These forest patches have been protected for generations through customary beliefs and community traditions. They have served as repositories of native flora and fauna. They have become not only cultural landmarks but also ecological assets, acting as biodiversity hotspots that conserve endemic species, regulate microclimates, store carbon, and preserve traditional ecological knowledge.
Researchers, however, point out that the long-term survival of many of these groves is in jeopardy. The expansion and modernisation of temples, removal of native vegetation, and various developmental activities, are diminishing their ecological value. Researchers underline that while sacred groves remain critical refuges of plant species, their protection can no longer rely solely on tradition.
The report on Pavithravanams recommends a combined approach that integrates community-led conservation practices with scientific management for safeguarding these ecosystems. Such an approach is essential to ensure that Pavithravanams continue to serve both spiritual and ecological roles for future generations.
Experts say the study’s findings highlight an urgent need for awareness and action, reminding policymakers and communities that Andhra Pradesh’s sacred groves are not merely relics of faith, but living reservoirs of biodiversity whose preservation is crucial in an era of rapid change.