Role of religious beliefs of tribal communities from Jharkhand (India) in biodiversity conservation

Abstract

Jharkhand is one of the most biodiversity-enriched regions in India because of its origin and diverse physiographic and climatic conditions. It comprises 29.61% forest area which exceeds the national average of 23%. However, the biodiversity rich status of this region may also be attributed to its higher tribal population. Jharkhand has 26.3% tribal population of the total population in the state belong to 32 different groups. Santal, Munda and Ho are the dominant tribal groups in this area. They protect and conserve the plant and animal diversity in the landscape through their religious belief system which encompasses the concept of totemism, sacred trees and groves. However, intrusion of modernization, commercialization and weakening of indigenous belief systems has raised serious concerns in the conservation and management of floral and faunal biodiversity. Religion is a potent tool to convince people; hence their religious values and associated taboos must be protected against erosion