Ibudhou Marjing Sacred Grove at Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot: Significance of Customary Belief in Effective Conservation of Woody Plant Species
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55863/ijees.2026.1017Keywords:
Phytosociology, Species richness, Atmospheric pressure, Shannon Wiener Index, Meitei TraditionsAbstract
Sacred groves serve as critical biodiversity hotspots intertwined with cultural heritage, particularly in Northeast India, where anthropogenic pressures threaten their integrity. This study evaluates the woody plant species of the Ibudhou Marjing Sacred Grove and the adjoining Heingang Reserved Forest in the Imphal East district of Manipur, India, covering an area of 9.71 km². Regeneration study revealed greater seedling density in the Reserved Forest, whereas sapling density was greater in the sacred grove. The study found significantly greater species richness in the sacred grove forest (52 species) than in the adjoining Heingang Reserved Forest (29 species). The sacred grove harbours significantly higher tree diversity with 1096 individuals ha⁻¹ and a basal cover of 52.25 m² ha⁻¹, compared to that of the Heingang Reserved Forest, bearing 843 individuals ha⁻¹ and a basal cover of 22.36 m² ha⁻¹. A higher Shannon-Wiener diversity value was observed in the sacred grove (2.49) than in the Reserved Forest (2.14). These results highlight the grove's role in conservation through Meitei traditions, advocate for integrated management to conserve ecosystem services amid urbanisation, and suggest future studies to enhance resilience.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lisha Devi Elam , Lal Bihari Singha, Geetanjali Devi Sijagurumayum, Sylvia Ningthoujam, Lemba Thangjam, Bungbungcha Chabungbam , Priyanka Huidrom, Geetmala Manoharmayum , R. Riphina
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