The state of Manipur in northeastern India is known for its ecologically distinctive and rich biodiversity, having many endemic flora and fauna. Traditional conservation practices of the indigenous population protecting small forest patches by dedicating them to the local deity have contributed to their conservation. Such forest patches called ‘sacred groves’ are tracts of virgin forest harbouring rich biodiversity and are repositories of rare and endemic species – remnants of the primary forest left untouched by the local inhabitants due to religious belief. As a result these groves possess a great heritage of diverse gene pool of many forest species having socio-religious attachment and possessing medicinal values. A total of 166 sacred groves distributed in different locations are inventoried from Manipur Valley. Among these only a few (11%) are well preserved, while most are threatened (58%) and others threatened (3%) due to anthropogenic pressures such as developmental activities, urbanization and population explosion.

1. Manipur State ISM&H Development Society, Imphal
2. Silviculture and Training Division, Forest Department. Government of Manipur, Imphal
3. Manipur Tribal’s Pioneer Association, Imphal
4. State Medicinal Plant Board, Imphal
5. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Imphal