The Supreme Court (SC) has issued directions to safeguard sacred groves, such as Orans, in Rajasthan. These directives are rooted in the T.N. Godavarman judgment (1996) and emphasize conservation through legal protection, community-driven efforts, and policy formulation.

Key Directives and Suggestions by the Supreme Court

Legal Protection: Sacred groves should be granted protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, particularly through Section 36(c), which allows for the declaration of community reserves.

Replication of Conservation Models: The SC highlighted the Piplantri Model, a successful community-driven conservation initiative in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district, as a replicable framework for other regions. Under this model, 111 trees are planted for every girl born in the village.

Policy Framework by MoEFCC: Directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to:

• Develop a comprehensive policy for governance and management of sacred groves.
• Create a plan for a nationwide survey to identify and document sacred groves.

Empowering Traditional Communities: Suggested that traditional communities be identified and empowered as custodians of sacred groves under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

Mapping and Identification: Directed MoEFCC and Rajasthan’s Forest Department to form a committee for supervising the mapping and identification of sacred groves.

Understanding Sacred Groves

• Sacred groves are forest patches or tree clusters revered by local communities for their cultural or spiritual significance.
• They act as repositories of biodiversity, sheltering rare plant and animal species.
• Hunting and deforestation are usually prohibited, while sustainable activities such as honey collection or gathering deadwood are permitted.
• Global and National Presence: India hosts the world’s highest concentration of sacred groves, with over 100,000 groves spread across the country.
• Sacred Groves in India: Sacred groves are scattered across India but are particularly found in regions like Western Ghats, Himalayas, northeastern hill tracts and Central India.
• Regional Names: Deora, Malvan (Rajasthan), Bugyal (Uttarakhand)
• UNESCO Recognition: The Living Root Bridges (Jingkieng Jri) of Meghalaya, a sacred grove, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Significance of the SC Directives

• Conservation of Biodiversity: Sacred groves act as biodiversity hotspots, preserving rare flora and fauna.
• Cultural Preservation: Protecting sacred groves ensures the continuation of traditional ecological knowledge and spiritual practices of local communities.
• Community Engagement: Encouraging models like Piplantri fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among local communities.
• Sustainability: Policy-driven conservation ensures the sustainable management of these ecologically and culturally valuable areas.