razer says that people have
worshipped forests right from the Palaeolithic age, thereby preserving them. In ancient
Greece and Rome stone walls usually enclosed these forests. Initially these forests began
as open-air temples but even after huge temples were built they continued to be protected.
Many of them contained streams and lakes that were also considered sacred, and no one was
allowed to fish in them or pollute them. Such groves exist in countries such as Ghana,
Syria, and Turkey. The survival of these groves depends entirely on the control of the
community over the forest and the people. Usually these areas are designated as holy and
dedicated to a god or a goddess.
more information on Sacred groves of India link to