Kasampatty Sacred Grove: Tamil Nadu’s Biodiversity Heritage Site

• Location and Area: The Kasampatty Sacred Grove, also known as Veera Kovil, spans 4.97 hectares in Kasampatty village, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, located at the foothills of Alagar Kovil, surrounded by mango orchards.
• Biodiversity Heritage Site Status: Declared Tamil Nadu’s second Biodiversity Heritage Site by the state government, recognizing its ecological significance.
• Cultural Significance: The grove is revered as the abode of Veeranan, a folk deity (‘kaval deivam’) believed to have protected the village for over 800 years.
• Community Connection: The grove has an intense bond with the agrarian community, who maintain traditional practices and rituals to preserve its sanctity.
• Biodiversity: It is a repository of rare fauna and flora, contributing to ecological balance in the region.
• Number of Sacred Groves: Tamil Nadu has approximately 1,750 sacred groves, with 120 in the Natham belt alone.
• Selection Criteria: Kasampatty was chosen due to its well-preserved state and the community’s unwavering adherence to traditional practices, ensuring biodiversity conservation.
• Environmentalist Insight: Environmentalist Karthikeyan Parkavithai notes the grove’s selection reflects its deep cultural and ecological linkage with residents.
• Community Concerns: Villagers fear that the biodiversity site tag may attract tourists, potentially desecrating the sacred space and disrupting rituals.
• Rituals and Taboos: Strict rituals and taboos are followed to maintain the grove’s sanctity, including villagers avoiding direct eye contact with the dense vegetation where the deity resides.
• Dhan Foundation’s Role: P. Vasunathan from Dhan Foundation highlights the prevalence of sacred groves in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing their ecological and cultural value.
• Ecological Context: The grove’s lush valley setting supports biodiversity, making it a critical site for conservation efforts.

Glossary

• Biodiversity Heritage Site: An area of significant ecological value recognized for its unique biodiversity and conservation potential.
• Sacred Grove: A patch of forest or natural vegetation protected by communities due to religious or cultural beliefs.
• Kaval Deivam: A folk deity in Tamil Nadu, believed to guard villages and sacred sites.
• Traditional Practices: Community-led customs and rituals that contribute to the preservation of natural and cultural heritage.
• Ecological Balance: The stable interaction of species and their environment, maintained through biodiversity conservation.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/a-sacred-grove-that-is-a-storehouse-of-rare-fauna-and-its-strong-bond-with-residents/article69434702.ece