Which one of the following is not the sacred groves?

The correct answer is Option (3) → Ajanta and Ellora caves

Sacred groves are tracts of forest set aside by communities for religious and cultural reasons. All the trees and wildlife in them are worshipped and given total protection, so they are a traditional form of in situ conservation.

Option (1) Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya — Sacred groves. These groves in Meghalaya still shelter many rare and threatened plants.

Option (2) Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra — Sacred groves. The book lists them among India’s sacred groves.

Option (3) Ajanta and Ellora caves — Not sacred groves. They are rock-cut caves with ancient carvings and paintings, a historical monument, not a protected forest.

Option (4) Sarguja, Chanda and Bastar areas of Madhya Pradesh — Sacred groves. They complete the book’s list, along with the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan.

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.”