Role of Temples and Other Holy Places in Plant Conservation of Odisha, India

An ethnobotanical survey of plants associated with temple rituals and nurtured in the temple yards or gardens in the Jajpur district of Odisha was been carried out during 2009-11. A total of 84 plant species of both trees, shrubs, herbs or climbers have been collected and identified from different temple premises and adjoining areas. Twelve (12) species are found to be exclusively planted and carefully nurtured for their particular utility. Moreover, some plants are considered sacred and planted as well as worshipped on specific occasions. Those plants are available rarely in wild but protected and saved from extinction being associated with religious places in this district.