Description

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Context

Tamil Nadu has designated Kasampatty sacred grove as a Biodiversity Heritage Site recognizing its ecological & cultural significance following recommendation of Dindigul Collector & Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board.

Kasampatty Sacred Grove

Parameter	Details
Name	(Veera Kovil Sacred Grove)
Location	Kasampatti village, Rediyapatty Panchayat, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu
Total Area	4.97 hectares
Proximity to Reserves	Near Alagarmalai Reserve Forest, surrounded by mango plantations
Government Status	Declared Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) on March 27, 2025, under Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Significance	1. Ecological hotspot with high biodiversity 2. Cultural importance—houses Veera Kovil Temple dedicated to deity ‘Veeranan’
Biodiversity	48 plant species (trees, shrubs, herbs) 22 shrubs, 21 lianas (woody vines), 29 herbs Over 12 species of birds, small mammals, reptiles & insects
Role in Conservation	1. Preserves rare & endemic species 2. Acts as a buffer zone for Alagarmalai Reserve Forest 3. Supports local water conservation & climate regulation
Cultural Value	Locals worship at Veera Kovil Temple & protect grove as a sacred space
Key Authorities	Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board, Dindigul District Administration, Local Panchayat
Notification Process	1. Dindigul Collector’s recommendation 2. Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board’s approval 3. Reddiyapatty Panchayat Council’s resolution
Restrictions on Use	No strict restrictions; local community manages & decides conservation practices
Tamil Nadu’s 2nd BHS	1st: Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site (Madurai, 2022) 2nd: Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Biodiversity Heritage Site (Dindigul, 2025)

Biodiversity Heritage Sites in India

Parameter	Details
Definition	Areas with high biodiversity, cultural importance, or ecological value, declared under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Purpose	1. Protect rich ecosystems & endangered species 2. Preserve local conservation practices 3. Encourage community participation in conservation
Legal Framework	Biological Diversity Act, 2002 allows State Governments to declare BHS in consultation with local bodies.
Authority	State Governments, in consultation with National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) & Local Panchayats.
Criteria for BHS	Rare/endangered species Keystone species & evolutionary significance Cultural, historical, or religious importance Unique or fragile ecosystems Presence of fossil beds or wild ancestors of cultivated species
Total BHS in India	40+ (as of 2025)
First BHS in India	Nallur Tamarind Grove, Karnataka (2007)
Major BHS Examples	1. Nallur Tamarind Grove (Karnataka) 2. Majuli Island (Assam) 3. Shivbari Sacred Grove (Himachal Pradesh) 4. Glory of Allapalli (Maharashtra) 5. Mawphlang Sacred Grove (Meghalaya) 6. Arittapatti (Madurai, Tamil Nadu) 7. Kasampatty (Veera Kovil), Dindigul (Tamil Nadu)
Tamil Nadu’s BHS Sites	1. Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site (Madurai, 2022) 2. Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Biodiversity Heritage Site (Dindigul, 2025)
Management Approach	Community-led conservation No restrictions on traditional practices unless voluntarily decided
Importance of BHS	1. Climate Regulation – Helps in carbon sequestration & microclimate control. 2. Conservation of Local Species – Protects biodiversity hotspots. 3. Promotes Sustainable Development – Balances ecology & livelihoods. 4. Cultural Heritage – Sacred groves & heritage sites are preserved.

Notable Biodiversity Heritage Sites

State	Biodiversity Heritage Site	Location	Significance
Karnataka	Nallur Tamarind Grove	Bengaluru, Devanahalli	Believed to be a relic of Chola Dynasty, featuring ancient tamarind trees.
	Hogrekan	Chikmagalur	Shola vegetation serving as a wildlife corridor between Kudremukha & Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuaries.
	University of Agricultural Sciences Campus	Bengaluru	Green area housing diverse flora & fauna.
	Ambaraguda	Shivamogga	Shola vegetation located between Sharavathi & Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Kerala	Asramam	Kollam	Hosts rare mangrove species & critically endangered trees; part of Ashtamudi Lake ecosystem.
	Pannivelichira	Pathanamthitta, Mallappuzhassery	Wetland ecosystem supporting migratory & endemic birds; used for irrigation.
Madhya Pradesh	Naro Hills	Satna	Geologically unique area supporting diverse ecosystems & species.
	Amarkantak	Anuppur	Highest peak of Maikal range; major watershed of peninsular India.
	Patalkot	Chhindwara, Tamia	Ancient 1,700-feet deep valley with rare plant species; ecosystem over 6 million years old.
Maharashtra	Glory of Allapalli	Gadchiroli	Reserved forest with biological, ethnic & historical importance.
	Anjarle & Velas Beaches	Ratnagiri	Nesting sites for Olive Ridley turtles.
	Landor Khori Forest	Jalgaon	Natural forest home to 190 bird species & 24 mammal species.
	Wardham Park	Gadchiroli, Sironcha	Contains ancient plant & dinosaur fossils.
	Daldalkuhi	Gondia, Salekasa	Swamp area rich in various fern species.
	Shivaji Park	Jalgaon	Natural forest with migratory birds frequenting nearby Mehrun Lake.
	Amboli	Sindhudurg, Sawantwadi	Habitat for endemic fish species; site of Parvati temple & Hiranyakeshi river origin.
	Ganeshkhind Garden	Pune	Botanical garden established in 1873; houses historic mango tree planted by Peshwas.
	Myristica Swamps	Sindhudurg, Dodamarg, Hevale	Freshwater swamp protected as sacred grove; contains Myristicaceae flowering plants.
Punjab	Kaya Kalp Vriksh (Great Banyan Tree)	Fatehgarh Sahib, Khera Mandal, Cholti Kheri	300-year-old banyan tree of significant cultural & ecological value.
Odisha	Mandasaru	Kandhamal, Raikia	Biodiversity-rich area with unique flora & fauna.
Manipur	Dialong Village	Tamenglong	Area of rich biodiversity & cultural heritage.
Telangana	Ameenpur Lake	Sangareddy, Ameenpur	300-year-old artificial lake supporting resident & migratory birds.
Tamil Nadu	Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site	Madurai	Area of ecological & historical significance.
	Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Sacred Grove	Dindigul	Sacred grove with rich biodiversity; houses Veera Kovil Temple.
Himachal Pradesh	Shivbari Sacred Grove	Kangra	Sacred grove with unique biodiversity.
Assam	Majuli Island	Majuli	River island with rich biodiversity & cultural heritage.
Meghalaya	Mawphlang Sacred Grove	East Khasi Hills	Sacred grove known for its rich biodiversity & cultural significance.