Sacred groves are specially useful in

Options

A. Conserving rare and threatened species
B. Generating environmental awareness
C. Year round flow of water in rivers
D. Preventing soil erosion

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Sacred Groves**: Sacred groves are patches of forest that are protected for religious or cultural reasons. They are often associated with local beliefs and practices.

2. **Role in Biodiversity Conservation**: Sacred groves play a significant role in biodiversity conservation. They serve as habitats for various species, including rare and threatened ones.

3. **Types of Conservation**: Conservation can be classified into two main types: ex-situ (outside the natural habitat) and in-situ (within the natural habitat). Sacred groves are an example of in-situ conservation, where the conservation occurs in the natural environment.

4. **Benefits of Sacred Groves**:
- They help in conserving rare and threatened species by providing a safe habitat.
- They can also contribute to environmental awareness among local communities.
- However, they do not directly contribute to year-round flow of water in rivers or preventing soil erosion.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the above points, the primary utility of sacred groves is in conserving rare and threatened species.

**Final Answer**: Sacred groves are specially useful in conserving rare and threatened species.

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