Key Facts & Data

  • Number of sites: Over 1 million sacred forests; 100,000‑150,000 distinct sacred groves.
  • Geographical spread: Predominantly in the Western Ghats, Himalayas, Northeast and Central India; high concentrations in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu.
  • Local names: Sarna (Bihar), Dev Van (HP), Devarakadu (Karnataka), Kavu (Kerala), Devrai (Maharashtra), Law Kyntang (Meghalaya), Oran (Rajasthan).
  • Ecological services:
  • Biodiversity refuge – supports native flora & fauna.
  • Water quality – meets WHO potable standards.
  • Soil conservation – prevents erosion and enhances fertility.
  • Legal status:
  • Recognised as Community Forest Resources under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
  • Can be declared Community Reserves under the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972.
  • Funding example: Kerala received central assistance (2020‑23) for the Kadalundi‑Vallikkunnu Community Reserve.

Background & Context

Sacred groves are patches of virgin or near‑natural forest preserved by indigenous and tribal communities because of religious, cultural, and spiritual significance. Protection is based on moral duty and traditional belief systems rather than formal legislation, resulting in minimal human disturbance.

Significance for India / Governance / Policy

  • Conservation: Act as micro‑protected areas, contributing to the country's biodiversity targets and climate resilience.
  • Water & Soil: Enhance watershed health and sustain agricultural productivity in surrounding regions.
  • Cultural heritage: Preserve intangible cultural values and traditional knowledge systems.
  • Policy conflict: The WLPA‑enabled community reserves place groves under Forest Department control, undermining the Gram Sabha’s authority granted by the FRA. This legal tension raises questions about decentralised forest governance and rights of forest‑dependent communities.

Related Constitutional / Legal Provisions

  • Forest Rights Act, 2006 – empowers Gram Sabha to manage Community Forest Resources.
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – allows states to notify Community Reserves, potentially overriding FRA provisions.
  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Wildlife Habitat – funds community‑based conservation (e.g., Kerala project).
  • IUCN Green List & OECM – International frameworks that recognise the dual ecological‑cultural value of sacred groves.

Modern Challenges

  • Declining interest among youth.
  • Encroachment due to deforestation, urbanisation, industrial projects.
  • Legal ambiguity between FRA and WLPA.

Global Recognition

  • Align with IUCN Green List Standard.
  • Potential classification as Other Effective Area‑based Conservation Measures (OECMs).

FAQs

  1. What are sacred groves? Community‑protected natural forest patches preserved for religious and cultural reasons.
  2. Under which law are they recognised as community forest resources? Forest Rights Act, 2006.
  3. Why is there a governance conflict? The WLPA allows states to declare community reserves, which can dilute the Gram Sabha’s statutory authority under the FRA.
  4. What is their global conservation significance? They meet IUCN criteria and can be designated as OECMs, linking biodiversity conservation with cultural preservation.