India’s Sacred Groves Play a Vital Role in Conservation

India’s Sacred Groves Play a Vital Role in Conservation

A herd of goats makes its way through a stubbly, dry grassland to a hilly grove. As they get closer, the air becomes noticeably cooler, the vegetation denser, the grass greener. A couple of buffalo wallow in a shallow pool of water, and beyond, a forest path leads to a giant old ficus. From the tree’s roots, a little stream emerges, its peaceful gurgling punctuated with the plopping sound of ripe figs falling into the water. This is one of India…