Blending faith: 161 ancient sites documented

UTTARAKHAND, considered as 'Devbhoomi', has taken an initiative towards recognizing the spiritual heritage embedded in its landscape.

- NARENDRA SETHI @ Dehradun

For the first time, the forest department has identified and documented 161 sacred natural sites (SNS) across the state.

This initiative maps divinity within the state, encompassing sacred forests, groves, high-altitude meadows (bugyals), and pristine lakes. These sites represent a unique blend of ecological richness and spiritual sanctity, often embodying localised worship protected for centuries by community reverence.

"This is the first systematic scientific documentation that goes beyond groves to include lakes and bugyals," Chief Conservator of Forests Sanjiv Chaturvedi, who guided the yearlong study, told this newspaper. "Sacred groves offer a beacon-a model demonstrating that safeguarding nature be-