Ecological heritage
Sacred groves are hotspots of native biodiversity that link man to his ecological heritage. They purify the environment, conserve a variety of species that are otherwise harmed and also serve as "spiritual retreats". Each state in India boasts of several such groves, zealously protected by the public. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has decided to set up sacred groves across the state such as Panchavatis, Navgrah Vatikas and Smriti Vatikas. Even Puranas have extolled tree-planting and its benefits with respect to each native plant and tree, such as Tulsi, Banyan, Peepal, Neem, Amla, Bilva, Ashoka and mango grown either in houses or in temples or even collectively in sacred groves. C V KRISHNA MANOJ TELANGANA