The Sanctity of Plants and the Role of Religious Beliefs in Plant Resource Conservation and Management: A Comparative Revie

Document Type : Scientific Views

Authors

1 PhD graduate of Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

10.22092/irn.2026.371122.1694

Abstract

The escalating environmental crises and widespread degradation of vegetation cover in recent decades have highlighted the urgent need to revisit the cultural and historical roots of humanity’s coexistence with nature. This review article aims to elucidate the sacred and respectful status of plants in ancient rituals and divine religions, exploring the role of traditional beliefs in the conservation and management of plant resources. Through an extensive review of historical sources, religious texts, and ethnobotanical studies, the concept of plant sanctity across ancient civilizations and major religions is examined. The findings reveal that in most ancient societies, plants were revered not only as vital resources but also as sacred and symbolic entities. This perspective led to the establishment of sacred groves and traditional in-situ conservation systems, which predate the modern concept of protected areas by millennia. In Iranian culture, the association of trees with religious sites and their presence in rituals and spiritual practices reflects a deep sense of reverence toward nature. Moreover, numerous Quranic verses and Islamic traditions emphasize the ecological and spiritual significance of plants in maintaining life and balance. The study concludes that reviving these cultural and religious values can serve as an effective complementary approach in modern biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management policies.

Keywords

Iran Nature
Volume 10, Issue 6 - Serial Number 55
March and April 2026
Pages 19-28

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics