Tree Diversity of Polathala Sacred Grove, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh, India

C. Nagendra; S. Akkulanna; Bodigadla Kranthi; Nandimandalam Raja Sekhar Reddy; S. Sunitha; A. Madhusudhana Reddy

doi:10.36808/if/2025/v151i2/170531

Tree Diversity of Polathala Sacred Grove, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Authors

C. Nagendra Department of Botany, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa-516005, Andhra Pradesh
S. Akkulanna Department of Botany, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuramu-515003, Andhra Pradesh
Bodigadla Kranthi Department of Botany, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa-516005, Andhra Pradesh
Nandimandalam Raja Sekhar Reddy Department of Botany, Government College for Men, Kadapa-516005, Andhra Pradesh
S. Sunitha Department of Botany, KVR Government college for Women(A), Cluster University, Kurnool -518002, Andhra Pradesh
A. Madhusudhana Reddy Department of Botany, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa-516005, Andhra Pradesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2025/v151i2/170531

Keywords:

Tree diversity, Sacred grove, Seshachalam hills, Tropical dry deciduous forests, Ecological significance

Abstract

Sacred groves are the large areas of virgin or human-modified landscape with a diverse range of species that have been protected by local people for centuries due to cultural, religious beliefs, and taboo that the deities live in them and protect the villagers from various calamities. The present study was carried out the tree diversity of Polathala sacred grove in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 133 tree species belongs to 100 genera distributed in 35 families were recorded. Fabaceae was found to be the largest family with 28 species followed by Malvaceae 08 and Rubiaceae 08. Analysis of 133 species a total 5 species are endemics. According to IUCN criteria, Endangered 3, Vulnerable 07, Data deficient 01, Near Threatened 01 and Least Concern 53. Off these 133 taxa 120 species native to India, 13 species outside from India. The current data will be useful in determining the current status of tree species and will be used by the forest department and conservationists to establish management plans for the conservation of priority species in the region.

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