Floral Diversity of the Sacred Groves in Gangajalghati, Bikna and Onda Blocks of Bankura District, West Bengal, India

Forested patches with single tree to diverse forms of flora protected by the local people with some customary myths and taboos associated are called sacred groves (SGs). Removal of biological resources is strictly restricted from these isolated patches and thus SGs are playing a significant role in the conservation of biodiversity. Present communication reports on such sacred groves of Blocks Gangajalghati, Bikna and Onda in Bankura district of West Bengal from where 37 SGs are reported. Altogether, these 37 SGs hold a total of 46 plant species belonging to 24 families with various functional values. Of them, 24 are medicinally important, 13 produce timber, 3 are ornamental trees, 2 shade trees, 9 produce edible fruits, 2 are sacred trees and 20 species belong to the non-timber product (NTP) genre.