Name

(Veera Kovil Sacred Grove)

Location

Kasampatti village, Rediyapatty Panchayat, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu

Total Area

4.97 hectares

Proximity to Reserves

Near Alagarmalai Reserve Forest, surrounded by mango plantations

Government Status

Declared Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) on March 27, 2025, under Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Significance

1. Ecological hotspot with high biodiversity
2. Cultural importance—houses Veera Kovil Temple dedicated to deity ‘Veeranan’

Biodiversity

48 plant species (trees, shrubs, herbs)
22 shrubs, 21 lianas (woody vines), 29 herbs
Over 12 species of birds, small mammals, reptiles & insects

Role in Conservation

1. Preserves rare & endemic species
2. Acts as a buffer zone for Alagarmalai Reserve Forest
3. Supports local water conservation & climate regulation

Cultural Value

Locals worship at Veera Kovil Temple & protect grove as a sacred space

Key Authorities

Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board, Dindigul District Administration, Local Panchayat

Notification Process

1. Dindigul Collector’s recommendation
2. Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board’s approval
3. Reddiyapatty Panchayat Council’s resolution

Restrictions on Use

No strict restrictions; local community manages & decides conservation practices

Tamil Nadu’s 2nd BHS

1st: Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site (Madurai, 2022)
2nd: Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Biodiversity Heritage Site (Dindigul, 2025)

Definition

Areas with high biodiversity, cultural importance, or ecological value, declared under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Purpose

1. Protect rich ecosystems & endangered species
2. Preserve local conservation practices
3. Encourage community participation in conservation

Legal Framework

Biological Diversity Act, 2002 allows State Governments to declare BHS in consultation with local bodies.

Authority

State Governments, in consultation with National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) & Local Panchayats.

Criteria for BHS

Rare/endangered species
Keystone species & evolutionary significance
Cultural, historical, or religious importance
Unique or fragile ecosystems
Presence of fossil beds or wild ancestors of cultivated species

Total BHS in India

40+ (as of 2025)

First BHS in India

Nallur Tamarind Grove, Karnataka (2007)

Major BHS Examples

1. Nallur Tamarind Grove (Karnataka)
2. Majuli Island (Assam)
3. Shivbari Sacred Grove (Himachal Pradesh)
4. Glory of Allapalli (Maharashtra)
5. Mawphlang Sacred Grove (Meghalaya)
6. Arittapatti (Madurai, Tamil Nadu)
7. Kasampatty (Veera Kovil), Dindigul (Tamil Nadu)

Tamil Nadu’s BHS Sites

1. Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site (Madurai, 2022)
2. Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Biodiversity Heritage Site (Dindigul, 2025)

Management Approach

Community-led conservation
No restrictions on traditional practices unless voluntarily decided

Importance of BHS

1. Climate Regulation – Helps in carbon sequestration & microclimate control.
2. Conservation of Local Species – Protects biodiversity hotspots.
3. Promotes Sustainable Development – Balances ecology & livelihoods.
4. Cultural Heritage – Sacred groves & heritage sites are preserved.

Karnataka

Nallur Tamarind Grove

Bengaluru, Devanahalli

Believed to be a relic of Chola Dynasty, featuring ancient tamarind trees.

Hogrekan

Chikmagalur

Shola vegetation serving as a wildlife corridor between Kudremukha & Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuaries.

University of Agricultural Sciences Campus

Bengaluru

Green area housing diverse flora & fauna.

Ambaraguda

Shivamogga

Shola vegetation located between Sharavathi & Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Kerala

Asramam

Kollam

Hosts rare mangrove species & critically endangered trees; part of Ashtamudi Lake ecosystem.

Pannivelichira

Pathanamthitta, Mallappuzhassery

Wetland ecosystem supporting migratory & endemic birds; used for irrigation.

Madhya Pradesh

Naro Hills

Satna

Geologically unique area supporting diverse ecosystems & species.

Amarkantak

Anuppur

Highest peak of Maikal range; major watershed of peninsular India.

Patalkot

Chhindwara, Tamia

Ancient 1,700-feet deep valley with rare plant species; ecosystem over 6 million years old.

Maharashtra

Glory of Allapalli

Gadchiroli

Reserved forest with biological, ethnic & historical importance.

Anjarle & Velas Beaches

Ratnagiri

Nesting sites for Olive Ridley turtles.

Landor Khori Forest

Jalgaon

Natural forest home to 190 bird species & 24 mammal species.

Wardham Park

Gadchiroli, Sironcha

Contains ancient plant & dinosaur fossils.

Daldalkuhi

Gondia, Salekasa

Swamp area rich in various fern species.

Shivaji Park

Jalgaon

Natural forest with migratory birds frequenting nearby Mehrun Lake.

Amboli

Sindhudurg, Sawantwadi

Habitat for endemic fish species; site of Parvati temple & Hiranyakeshi river origin.

Ganeshkhind Garden

Pune

Botanical garden established in 1873; houses historic mango tree planted by Peshwas.

Myristica Swamps

Sindhudurg, Dodamarg, Hevale

Freshwater swamp protected as sacred grove; contains Myristicaceae flowering plants.

Punjab

Kaya Kalp Vriksh (Great Banyan Tree)

Fatehgarh Sahib, Khera Mandal, Cholti Kheri

300-year-old banyan tree of significant cultural & ecological value.

Odisha

Mandasaru

Kandhamal, Raikia

Biodiversity-rich area with unique flora & fauna.

Manipur

Dialong Village

Tamenglong

Area of rich biodiversity & cultural heritage.

Telangana

Ameenpur Lake

Sangareddy, Ameenpur

300-year-old artificial lake supporting resident & migratory birds.

Tamil Nadu

Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site

Madurai

Area of ecological & historical significance.

Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Sacred Grove

Dindigul

Sacred grove with rich biodiversity; houses Veera Kovil Temple.

Himachal Pradesh

Shivbari Sacred Grove

Kangra

Sacred grove with unique biodiversity.

Assam

Majuli Island

Majuli

River island with rich biodiversity & cultural heritage.

Meghalaya

Mawphlang Sacred Grove

East Khasi Hills

Sacred grove known for its rich biodiversity & cultural significance.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Sacred groves are often seen as natural repositories of biodiversity. Examine their ecological & cultural significance with examples.