Identify the correct combination of statements for sacred groves.
(A) These are in-situ conservation strategies.
(B) These are ex-situ conservation strategies.
(C) These are found in the Khasi and Jaintia hills in Meghalaya.
(D) These hold religious values.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (C) and (D) only
(A) These are in-situ conservation strategies. — Correct. A sacred grove protects the forest and its wildlife where they live, so it is in situ conservation.
(B) These are ex-situ conservation strategies. — Incorrect. Ex situ conservation takes organisms out of their habitat, as in zoos, botanical gardens and seed banks. Nothing is taken out of a sacred grove.
(C) These are found in the Khasi and Jaintia hills in Meghalaya. — Correct. These hills are one of the places where they are found, with the Aravalli Hills, the Western Ghats and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
(D) These hold religious values. — Correct. The groves are set aside for religious and cultural reasons, and every tree and animal in them is protected.
NCERT Extract:
How Do We Conserve Biodiversity? – “… India has also a history of religious and cultural traditions that emphasised protection of nature. In many cultures, tracts of forest were set aside, and all the trees and wildlife within were venerated and given total protection. Such sacred groves are found in Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan, Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra and the Sarguja, Chanda and Bastar areas of Madhya Pradesh.”
Summary – “… Our country’s in situ conservation efforts are reflected in its 14 biosphere reserves, 90 national parks, > 450 wildlife sanctuaries and many sacred groves.”