Cultural diversity is closely linked to biodiversity. The study of these interrelationships need to be studied mainly for the simple reason that culture is not only the ethical imperative for development, it is also a condition of its sustainability; for there exists a symbiotic relationship between habitats and cultures, between ecosystems and cultural identity, and that this relationship constitutes a determining factor in ensuring sustainable human development.

The cult of worshipping plants as a blessing from God on earth has its roots deep in the history of human civilization. Plants were considered as a solemn symbol that protected and defended man in various ways. Over the centuries, the world's first recorded conservation measures were enacted in India by emperor Ashoka.

While sacred groves (forest fragments protected for religious reasons) are widely acknowledged to have a beneficial effect on biodiversity conservation, the ecological benefits of individual sacred trees remain unknown. Fig trees are present as sacred trees in humandominated landscapes across South Asia and are considered keystone species for wildlife in tropical forests.

Sacred groves are traditionally managed forest patches of palaeo-endemics, which are conserved due to religious beliefs and
represent climax vegetation. Sometimes these groves have higher richness and regeneration of medicinal and other economic plants than other reserve forests. (Correspondence)

The omnipresent existence of human-nature relationship all over India has been grossly neglected as a tool for conservation management. The sacred groves, patches of forests conserved due to associated religious faith have been described by foresters, travelers, anthropologists, ecologists for more than two hundred years from different parts of the country. The sacred grove institution in the Western Ghats of India which has been nurtured by the local communities has been serving as ecological refugia for a range of species and habitat of the Western Ghats.

The transformation of human settlements over time can affect the relationship between communities and commons when, for example, social geographies change from rural to urban, or from traditional systems of management to modern bureaucratic systems. Communities that were dependent on particular commons could become less dependent, or abandon those commons. New communities of interest might emerge. Examining the transformation of a lake in Bangalore, this paper argues that in the community struggle towards creating and claiming commons, claiming the sphere of planning is fundamental.

The Shankaracharya sacred grove is a reserve forest being maintained for aesthetic and recreational purposes. The Shankaracharya sacred grove is administered by the State Forest Department, like most of the sacred groves in India and it is well managed by the forest department.(Correspondence)