Malnad Sacred Groves (Devarakadu) Ecology of Hassan

Hassan district's Malnad landscape preserves numerous Devarakadu (God's forest) sacred groves — patches of natural forest protected by community religious belief from cutting or disturbing. These groves, dedicated to local deities, often contain the last remaining old-growth trees in an otherwise agricultural landscape, serving as seed banks and refugia for forest species. A survey by the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions identified over 100 Devarakadu in Hassan district, many containing rare medicinal trees, epiphytic orchids, and endemic ferns. The groves are governed by strict community prohibitions maintained by the village deity committee (devara kadi samiti). Government forest policy now formally recognises Devarakadu as community forest reserves.