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Semi-arid Southern India Sacred Grove Stands (regional)
Semi-arid plains, southern India (Tamil Nadu)
India
Active
Regional cluster
- Location
- Semi-arid plains, southern India (Tamil Nadu)
- Coordinates
- ~11°N 78°E (region)
- Size
- 50 grove stands sampled
- Age / Founded
- Traditional
- Status
- Active
- Deity & Religion
- Local Hindu/folk deities
- Community & Guardians
- Local Tamil communities
- Vernacular name
- Kovilkadu / Koil Kadu
- Record type
- Regional cluster
Cultural practices & uses
Sacred protection; carbon stock & biodiversity vs invasive Prosopis
Plant species
51 tree species across stands; 8 dominant carbon-fixing trees (vs monodominant Prosopis juliflora)
Biome & fauna
Tropical semi-arid scrub
Threats & protection
Outside protected-area network; Prosopis juliflora invasion
Source
Akil Prasath et al. 2024, Scientific Reports 14:4513