• The Supreme Court recommended the Centre to create a comprehensive policy for governance and management of community-protected forests, known as sacred groves.

• A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai, S.V.N. Bhatti and Sandeep Mehta, said India was home to thousands of sacred groves, which were patches of forests or clusters of trees that held deep cultural or spiritual significance for the local communities that protected and sustained them.

• Highlighting the ecological and cultural importance of the sacred groves, the Supreme Court recommended their protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, particularly through Section 36-C, which allows for declaration of “community reserves”.

• The Supreme Court said it was necessary to propose certain suggestions to promote the sustainable conservation of the sacred groves and empower the communities associated with their protection.

What are sacred groves?

• The management of wildlife and its habitat is primarily the responsibility of state governments. 

• The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 empowers state governments for declaration of any private or community land, as a community reserve, for protecting fauna, flora and traditional or cultural conservation values and practices. 

• Sacred groves are generally very small patches of trees traditionally protected by local communities for their religious and cultural significance and also contribute in conserving local biodiversity.

• Sacred groves can be notified as Community Conserved Areas under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, and Biodiversity Heritage Sites under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. 

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change supports protection and conservation of sacred groves with a strong emphasis on community involvement and eco-development activities.

Biodiversity and Cultural Importance

Ecological Value

• Sacred groves are biodiverse hotspots, supporting native flora and fauna.

• They act as natural carbon sinks, aiding in climate change mitigation.

• It complements government-owned forests in achieving sustainable development and climate resilience.

• Community management helps avoid alienation caused by relocation and preserves the cultural heritage.

Cultural Significance

• Deeply intertwined with tribal traditions and spiritual beliefs.

• Governed by customary rules, fostering a human-nature bond.

• Historically symbolised environmental stewardship.

Challenges

Neglect in Conservation Policies:

• Priority given to reserved forests often overshadows sacred groves.

• Lack of community involvement in conservation schemes leads to inefficiencies.

The Piplantri Model

• The Supreme Court directed the forest department of Rajasthan to carry out detailed on-ground and satellite mapping of each sacred grove in the respective area and classify them as ‘forests’, as recommended in the central empowered committee’s report of June 1, 2005.

• It also directed the state to complete the survey and notification of sacred groves/Orans in all districts.

• The Supreme Court said it was necessary to propose certain suggestions to promote the sustainable conservation of the sacred groves and empower the communities associated with their protection.

• Referring to the ‘Piplantri model’ created in a village in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district, the bench said it showed how environmental protection, gender equality, and economic growth could work together to change communities.

• The tragic passing of a girl child of the sarpanch prompted the movement in the village which had until then witnessed environmental damages due to excessive marble mining. The mining activity led to acute water shortages, deforestation and economic decline.

• The SC bench noted the community, led by its sarpanch, introduced a practice of planting 111 trees for every girl born and the initiative transformed not only the village’s landscape but also the nearby areas.

• This phenomenal effort also gave positive impetus to the efforts for reducing societal biases against women.

• The ‘Piplantri model’ has had many positive outcomes and environmentally, over 40 lakh trees were planted, which helped in raising the water table by 800-900 feet and cooled the climate by about 3-4°C.

• Socially, the model helped eliminate harmful practices like female foeticide.

• The village now has a rare distinction of a higher female population ratio, which is 52 per cent and ensures that all girls receive education.

• The illustration of Piplantri village demonstrated how community driven initiatives could effectively address social, economic and environmental challenges in a cohesive manner.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)