Which of the following is not a "sacred grove"?

The correct answer is Option (4) → Chanda and Bastar areas of Uttar Pradesh.

In many Indian cultures, tracts of forest were set aside, and all the trees and wildlife in them were venerated and fully protected. Such forests are called sacred groves, and they help in conserving biodiversity in its natural home.

Option (1) Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya. — A sacred grove region. The Khasi and Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya have sacred groves. In Meghalaya they are the last refuges for many rare and threatened plants.

Option (2) Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan. — A sacred grove region. The Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan are one of the regions the book lists.

Option (3) Western Ghat regions of Karnataka. — A sacred grove region. The Western Ghat regions of Karnataka (and Maharashtra) also have sacred groves.

Option (4) Chanda and Bastar areas of Uttar Pradesh. — Not a sacred grove region as given. The book places the Sarguja, Chanda and Bastar areas in Madhya Pradesh, not Uttar Pradesh. The option gives the right areas with the wrong state.

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. In Meghalaya, the sacred groves are the last refuges for a large number of rare and threatened plants.”