Sacred Groves

Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Forest Department of Rajasthan to map on the ground and via satellite every ‘sacred grove’ in detail.

• About: Sacred groves are forested areas that have special religious significance and are protected by local communities.
• Classified as ‘forests’ and notified as ‘community reserves’ under WLPA 1972.
• Impact: Shifts control from community conservation to Forest Department, contradicting FRA 2006, which seeks community rights over forest lands.
• Sacred Groves in Rajasthan: Known as ‘orans’, ‘malvan’, ‘deo ghat’, ‘baugh’ in Rajasthan, approx. 25,000 groves covering ~6 lakh hectares.
• Presence Across India: Names include ‘devara kadu’ (Karnataka), ‘devban’ (Himachal), ‘sarna’ (Jharkhand), ‘kavu’ (Kerala), ‘devgudi’ (Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh), ‘ki law kyntang’ (Meghalaya), ‘jahera’ (Odisha), etc.
• Community Reserves under WLPA 2002: New Protected Area Category (alongside National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries).

o Criteria: Notified over community/private land for conserving flora, fauna, and cultural practices.

o Community Responsibilities: Prevent WLPA violations, report wildlife deaths, fire prevention, assist authorities.

o Restrictions: Land-use changes require approval of the management committee & State government.

o Management: Controlled by Chief Wildlife Warden, assisted by Community Reserve Management Committee (includes Gram Sabha/Panchayat representatives).

o Honorary Wildlife Warden: Elected chairperson of the committee.

• Conflict with the FRA 2006

o FRA’s Definition: Sacred groves = ‘Community Forest Resources’ (CFR), managed by Gram Sabhas, not Forest Department.

o Community Forest Resource Management Committees: Responsible for management plans with State support.

Legal Conflict: FRA grants rights to communities, while SC order shifts control to the Forest Department, overriding customary governance systems.

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