Sacred Groves

Syllabus: Ecology

Source:  TH

Context: The Supreme Court’s December 18, 2024 ruling directs Rajasthan to map and classify sacred groves as forests under the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972. This contradicts the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, which upholds community ownership over forest lands instead of government control.

What are Sacred Groves?

• Community-protected Forest patches with cultural and ecological significance, conserved through traditional customs and religious beliefs.
• Found across India, these groves serve as biodiversity hotspots and water recharge zones.

The Supreme Court Case:

• T.N. Godavarman v. Union of India (1996) established that any land with forest characteristics should be considered forest land.
• Rajasthan’s expert committee (2004) identified sacred groves as forests only if they met specific criteria (e.g., 5 hectares with 200+ trees per hectare).
• The SC’s December 18 ruling overrides this, directing that all sacred groves be mapped, classified as forests, and declared as community reserves.

The Issue:

• Conflict between WLPA and FRA:
  • The FRA, 2006, recognizes community forest resources under gram sabhas, while the SC directive places them under government control.
  • This could disrupt traditional conservation practices and weaken community rights over these forests.

Distribution of Sacred Groves in India

• Sacred groves exist across all states, with the highest concentration in:
  • Western Ghats & Central Plateau: Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh.
  • Northeastern States: Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Tribal Belts: Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh.
• Estimated 100,000 to 150,000 sacred groves exist in India, making it the highest globally.

Significance of Sacred Groves:

• Biodiversity Conservation: Home to rare and endemic species, acting as genetic reservoirs.
• Water Conservation: Many groves are associated with springs, ponds, and rivers, ensuring aquifer recharge.

E.g. Sarpa Kavu groves in Kerala are crucial for maintaining local water tables and streamflow.

• Soil Conservation & Climate Regulation: Dense vegetation prevents soil erosion and stabilizes ecosystems.

E.g. Sarna forests in Jharkhand, conserved by tribal communities, prevent land degradation and desertification.

• Cultural & Religious Importance: Integral to local traditions, rituals, and spiritual beliefs across tribal and rural communities.

E.g. Mawphlang sacred forest in Meghalaya is central to Khasi tribal rituals and remains untouched for centuries

• Disaster Mitigation: Helps prevent floods, landslides, and droughts, supporting climate resilience.

Challenges to Sacred Groves:

• Urbanization & Encroachment: Rapid development, land conversion, and infrastructure projects threaten sacred groves.

E.g. Sacred groves in Gujarat’s Dahod region are shrinking due to road expansion and real estate projects.

• Decline in Traditional Beliefs: Modernization and loss of indigenous knowledge weaken community-driven conservation.
• Sanskritization & Religious Conversion: Replacement of nature worship with temple-centric rituals affects grove preservation.

• Invasive Species: Exotic species like Lantana camara, Eupatorium odoratum, and Prosopis juliflora degrade native flora.

E.g. Lantana invasion in Madhya Pradesh’s sacred groves has displaced indigenous medicinal plants.

• Government Policies & Legal Conflicts: The WLPA’s community reserve framework contradicts FRA’s recognition of community forest rights, causing administrative conflicts.

E.g. Tamil Nadu’s temple-controlled groves face excessive regulation, restricting community involvement.

Way Forward:

• Recognition Under Forest Rights Act (FRA): Sacred groves must be recognized as community forest resources under gram sabhas.
• Inventorization & Mapping: Conduct a nationwide survey to document sacred groves and their ecological significance.
• Strengthen Community-Based Conservation: Empower local communities, elders, and tribal groups in grove management.
• Regulating Urban Expansion: Implement buffer zones to protect groves from infrastructure projects and deforestation.
• Reviving Indigenous Practices: Promote traditional ecological knowledge and involve youth in conservation initiatives.

Conclusion:

While the SC directive aims at conservation, it risks disrupting community rights and customs. A balanced approach that respects indigenous traditions while ensuring ecological protection is essential for the sustainable preservation of sacred groves.

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