Sacred Groves in India

Context (TH | IE): SC has directed the Centre to draft a national policy for managing sacred groves, emphasising their ecological, cultural and social significance.

What are Sacred Groves?

Sacred Groves are forested patches preserved by local communities due to cultural and religious beliefs.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 empowers the State Government to declare any private or community land as a community reserve for protecting fauna, flora and traditional or cultural conservation values and practices.
Ecological Role: They serve as biodiversity hotspots, regulate local climates & prevent soil erosion.
Cultural Importance: These are integral to community rituals, symbolising respect for nature.

State	Sacred Groves	Key Features
Tamil Nadu	Puthupet Sacred Grove	Revered for its native flora and rituals for local deities.
Kerala	Kavus (e.g., Iringole Kavu)	Home to native biodiversity; linked with Theyyam rituals.
Karnataka	Devara Kadu	Maintained by communities for forest deities and habitats for rare wildlife.
Maharashtra	Devrais (e.g., Amboli Devrai)	Biodiversity hubs with medicinal plants are linked to the worship of local gods.
Rajasthan	Orans (e.g., Khejarli)	Serve as grazing grounds and water sources, associated with Bishnoi community conservation ethos.
Himachal Pradesh	Dev Van	Associated with the worship of local deities, it protects unique Himalayan flora.
Meghalaya	Law Kyntang	Sacred spaces preserved by Khasi tribes are central to local animistic traditions.
Odisha	Jahera	Worshipped as abodes of village deities, ensuring community-based protection.

Lack of Legal Recognition: Most groves are not formally identified or classified as protected areas.
Cultural decline: Modernisation & urbanisation threaten communities’ traditional stewardship.
Encroachment: Expansion of agriculture, urbanisation & infrastructure reduces grove areas.
Climate Change: Rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns impact biodiversity within groves.

Biodiversity Conservation: Sacred groves protect endemic flora & fauna, including endangered species.
Cultural Preservation: Safeguards traditional knowledge and practices passed through generations.
Ecological Services: Natural climate regulators, groundwater recharge zones, and erosion barriers.
Community Livelihoods: Provide non-timber resources like medicinal plants and sustainable employment opportunities.
Govt Emphasis: National Forest Policy, 1988 advocates for participatory conservation of forests.
SC Rulings: Emphasize the dual cultural & ecological value of sacred groves for sustainable management.

National Policy: Formulate a framework under MoEFCC.
Mapping: Conduct surveys to identify, demarcate, and classify sacred groves for protection.
Legal Protection: Designate sacred groves as community reserves under Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Region	Model	Impact
Rajasthan	Piplantri Model	Combines tree plantation with community empowerment, improving biodiversity and social metrics.
Himachal Pradesh	Dev Van Policy	Enhances sacred grove protection through participatory conservation.
Meghalaya	Community Forests	Khasi and Garo tribes sustainably manage sacred forests, maintaining biodiversity.

Survey and Legal Recognition: Map groves using satellite and ground surveys and legally designate them as protected areas or community reserves.
Empowering Communities: Ensure community rights under the Forest Rights Act 2006 and provide incentives for sustainable grove management.
Conservation Initiatives: Implement plantation drives with indigenous species and create buffer zones to protect groves from external threats.
Cultural Revival: Promote festivals, rituals, and traditions linked to groves and integrate awareness programs into school and community education.
Policy Integration: Align grove conservation with existing schemes like CAMPA & Green India Mission.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborate with NGOs and private entities for grove restoration and sustainable tourism.