Sacred groves in conservation of plant biodiversity in Mahendergarh district of Haryana

The study deals with the role of sacred groves in conservation of plant biodiversity in Mahendergarh district of Haryana. Sacred groves are oasis of plant biodiversity protecting areas. These groves in general act as repositories and nurseries for many of the medicinally and economically important plants. Among the 20 sacred groves surveyed, over 50 different plant species are reported. In the sacred groves surveyed, only a few are well protected while most are partially threatened due to anthropogenic pressure. Degradation of sacred groves not only signifies loss of species rich vegetation, but also the rich cultural heritage of the region. Considering all the dimensions of sacred groves, it is clear that these need proper conservation and protection strategies in order to save them from the verge of further degradation.