Saju Abraham, Xavier Kurian P. and Bany Joy
Abstract
Sacred groves, long revered as spiritual sanctuaries across diverse cultures, are increasingly recognized as vital reservoirs of biocultural capital, where ecological wealth intersects with traditional knowledge systems to create sustainable value. The sacred grove ecosystem offers a rare opportunity to combine community based economic potential with biodiversity conservation. As local communities continue to preserve complex ethnobotanical knowledge systems linked to grove biodiversity, the grovesâ cultural relevance as locations for ritual practice and traditional healing lends an intangible yet quantitative component to their value. To convert this biocultural wealth into sustainable bioeconomic value, there are three major strategies- Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs, which give communities money in exchange for keeping groves as biodiversity banks and carbon sinks. Second, through ethical bio trade initiatives that create market linkages for non-timber forest products sourced from grove peripheries under strict sustainability protocols, such as wild-harvested medicinal herbs and organic honey. Third, through eco-cultural tourism models that generates livelihood opportunities while educating visitors about traditional conservation practices, with successful examples demonstrating 30-50% of tourism revenues being reinvested in grove restoration. However, the commercialization of revered natural areas raises difficult moral issues that require serious consideration. Accordingly, the study looks at how sacred groves serve as live examples of biocultural legacy that might connect conservation goals with bioeconomic prospects. In conclusion, sacred groves serve as untapped biocultural resources in international sustainability initiatives and provide a reproducible example of how classical ecological knowledge can be integrated with modern green economy. Sacred groves serve as examples of the power of biocultural capital, where traditional knowledge and contemporary economics come together to create sustainable futures, as the world looks for solutions that balance ecological preservation with human progress.