Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
Sacred
groves are traditionally protected forest patches conserved by local
communities through religious and cultural practices. While their ecological
and cultural importance is well recognised, their role in climate change
mitigation through carbon storage remains underexplored. This study assesses
the carbon sequestration potential of selected sacred groves in and around the
Union Territory of Puducherry, India. Three representative groves—Suriyanpet,
Urani, and Kizhputhupet—were selected based on size, vegetation density, and
disturbance levels. A non-destructive sampling approach using 20 m × 20 m
quadrats was employed to estimate above- and below-ground biomass using
standard allometric equations, followed by carbon stock estimation through
established biomass-to-carbon conversion factors. The results indicate that
sacred groves function as significant carbon sinks despite fragmentation and
increasing anthropogenic pressures. The study underscores the need to conserve
and restore sacred groves as effective nature-based solutions for climate
change mitigation, while also supporting biodiversity conservation and cultural
heritage preservation.
Country : India
IRJIET, Volume 9, Issue 12, December 2025 pp. 180-186