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Preserving India’s sacred groves can help country achieve its conservation & climate goals.

Sacred Groves in India:

• Sacred groves are forest patches that are culturally and spiritually important for various communities.
• They are known by different names across India: sarnas in Jharkhand, devgudis in Chhattisgarh, and orans in Rajasthan.
• Groves vary in size from small clusters of trees to expansive forests covering several acres.

Threats to Sacred Groves:

• Sacred groves are increasingly under threat due to deforestation, mining, and development activities.
• Many sacred groves are being displaced or degraded, putting biodiversity and cultural practices at risk.

Ecological and Cultural Importance:

• Sacred groves are rich in biodiversity and serve as important carbon sinks, contributing to climate change mitigation.
• They have been maintained by indigenous communities for centuries, creating a deep connection between people and nature.
• Sacred groves also play a crucial role in preserving indigenous spiritual practices and cultural heritage.

Contribution to Climate and Conservation Goals:

• India’s climate commitment of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 requires the protection of forests, including sacred groves.
• Sacred groves, when properly managed, can help in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.
• Preserving these groves can support forest conservation and foster coexistence with wildlife, ensuring a balance between development and environmental preservation.

Role of Indigenous Communities:

• Indigenous communities have long used sacred groves to regulate the use of forest resources and ensure environmental sustainability.
• Before modern ecological concepts, sacred groves were seen as natural conservation practices guided by spiritual beliefs.
• This traditional wisdom can be leveraged to enhance conservation efforts in India.

Examples of Successful Sacred Grove Conservation:

• Waghoba Grove in Maharashtra:
  • Located in Chinchwadi village, the Taata chi Vanrai grove is dedicated to Waghoba, the tiger deity, and covers eight acres.
  • Local communities, including the Thakars, have successfully resisted illegal timber extraction and helped conserve the grove, witnessing the return of wildlife like leopards.
  • Worship of Waghoba has played a significant role in preserving forest patches and fostering human-animal coexistence.
• Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve:
  • Sacred groves around the Tadoba Reserve, dedicated to Waghoba, are important in reducing human-wildlife conflicts by promoting spiritual ties with the forest.

Government and Community Efforts:

• The Jharkhand government introduced the concept of gherabandi (boundary walls) in 2019 to conserve sacred groves.
• In Chhattisgarh, the renovation of sacred groves has been undertaken to protect and restore these areas.
• Despite these efforts, challenges remain in involving local communities and integrating sacred groves into broader conservation policies.

The Role of OECMs in Sacred Grove Conservation:

• Sacred groves are considered part of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), which are areas conserved for biodiversity outside protected regions.
• OECMs recognize the cultural, spiritual, and socio-economic value of these areas and promote sustainable conservation practices that benefit both biodiversity and local communities.
• Sacred groves play an essential role in achieving long-term biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.