Kodagu District in Karnataka State, South India, part of the Western Ghats region, is described as one of the hottest hot spots of biodiversity in the world. This district can also be called a hot spot of sacred forest tradition due to the density and diversity of deities and communities that are part of an informal conservation concept based on Devakad, or sacred groves. This paper discusses the current status, threats and conservation initiatives undertaken by different stakeholders to revive this unique conservation concept and highlights the role of the Kodagu Model Forest as a key facilitator in the conservation effort.

Model Forest, conservation, sacred groves