Question

India relishes a history of religious and cultural traditions that emphasized the protection of nature. In many cultures, tracts of forest were set aside, all the trees and wildlife within were venerated and given total protection. Such areas are referred to as-
(a)Hotspots
(b)Ethical groves
(c)Sacred groves
(d)Protected areas

Answer 1

Hint: There are patches of primitive forests that are preserved as abodes of deities by some rural communities. These 'citizens of the environment' derive their livelihoods from local resources and respect nature for the ecological services it offers.

Complete answer:
A sacred grove is any grove of trees that for a specific religious community is of special religious significance. Sacred groves are also used in Indian communities. Any tree grove that is of special religious significance to a specific community is a sacred grove or sacred forest. In different cultures throughout the world, sacred groves work. They were significant aspects of Celtic, Estonian, Baltic, Germanic, ancient Greek, Near Eastern, Roman, and Slavic polytheism's mythological landscape and cult activity, and continue to occur in locations such as India, Japan, and West Africa. The Greco-Roman temenos, various Germanic terms for sacred groves, and the Celtic nemeton, which was primarily but not strictly associated with Druidic activity, are examples of sacred groves. There was a common practice of building churches on the sites of sacred groves during the Northern Crusades.

Additional Information: A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic area that is both a large biodiversity reservoir and is at risk of destruction. Specifically, the word biodiversity hotspot refers to 25 biologically rich areas across the globe that have lost at least 70% of their original habitat.
A protected area is a clearly defined geographical area which, by legal or other effective means, is accepted, committed, and managed to achieve long-term protection of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. (2008 IUCN Definition).
So, the correct answer is ‘sacred groves’.

Note: Sacred groves are typically a tract of virgin forest that harbors rich biodiversity and is historically protected by the local communities as a whole. Frightened groves range from a few square meters to several hectares.