Conservation of nature and natural resources has been an important part of cultural ethos, especially in remote rural and indigenous communities in many parts of the world, including India. These communities consider themselves connected with their biophysical environment in a web of spiritual relationships. Sacred groves are the relic forest segments preserved in the name of religion and culture. These groves are mostly associated with temples and are also culturally important. They manifest the spiritual and ecological ethos of rural indigenous communities. Many taboos are associated with sacred grove which helps in managing resources well through ritual representation. Different festivals are organized, where the local communities reaffirm their commitment to the forest and the deity. Sacred groves, in general, are a valuable tool of biodiversity conservation. The sacred groves as the treasure of repositories of a variety of plant species, the present study is conducted to find out the plant diversity in the sacred grove, Thekkumbad Thazhe Kavu in Kannur district, Kerala. 15 species present in this Kavu are least concerned, and they are Acanthus ilicifolius, Achrosticum aureum, Aegicera scorniculatum, Bruguiera cylindrica, Caryota urens, Cyperus ratundas, Fimbristilis ferrugenea, Kandelia candel, Lindernia crustacea, Lindernia tenuifolia, Ludwiga hyssopifolia, Pandanus odorifer, Panicum repens, Rhizophora apiculata and Rhizophoram ucronata. The species Caryota urens securing higher IVI of 38.835. The species of least significance (lowest IVI) were shown by Derris trifoliate, Emilia sonchifolia and Rhizophora apiculata. Based on IVI score made by this species it is understood that these are poorly established species in the communities of the study site.

indigenous, spiritual, ecological ethos, taboos, biodiversity