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Bankura District Sacred Groves (8 groves)
Bankura district, West Bengal (blocks: Bankura-I/II, Onda, Simlapal, Indpur, Sarenga, Khatra, Ranibandh)
India
Active
Regional cluster
- Location
- Bankura district, West Bengal (blocks: Bankura-I/II, Onda, Simlapal, Indpur, Sarenga, Khatra, Ranibandh)
- Coordinates
- 22°49'–23°16'N, 86°47'–87°14'E
- Size
- 8 groves, 400–3,800 m² each
- Age / Founded
- Traditional
- Status
- Active
- Deity & Religion
- Maa Chandi, Shiva, Jaher/Gram deities; Hindu & Santal folk
- Community & Guardians
- Local Bankura communities (incl. Santal)
- Vernacular name
- Than (Jaher than / Gram than)
- Record type
- Regional cluster
Cultural practices & uses
Weekly & festival worship (Maghi Purnima, Makar/Joistha Sankranti, Akhan Jatra)
Plant species
190 angiosperms total; Shorea robusta, Ficus benghalensis, Butea monosperma, Strychnos nux-vomica, Terminalia arjuna
Biome & fauna
West Bengal lateritic sal/dry deciduous
Threats & protection
Small isolated patches; eco-restoration & awareness recommended
Source
Nayak, Bhakat & Pandit 2023, Indian Forester 149(9):895-907