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Context:

Protesters in Rajasthan are undertaking a 700-km padayatra (march) from Jaisalmer to Jaipur to demand protection for orans traditional sacred groves and community grazing lands, amid concerns that large solar and wind projects are being built on these ecologically and culturally important areas.

What are Sacred Groves?

Sacred groves are small patches of natural vegetation that communities protect because of their religious or cultural importance. These areas are often linked to local deities, ancestral spirits, temples, burial grounds, or traditional water sources.
Unlike protected forests declared by the government, sacred groves survive due to customary beliefs and social norms, which restrict activities such as tree cutting, hunting, or land clearing. This community-led protection allows ecosystems to remain relatively undisturbed and biologically rich.

Distribution in India:

India has one of the largest traditions of sacred landscapes, with over a lakh (100,000+) documented sacred groves and many more unrecorded.

They are widely distributed across ecological regions:

• Western Ghats: Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
• Northeast India: especially Meghalaya and Manipur
• Himalayan region: often in the form of alpine meadows
• Arid regions: such as Orans in Rajasthan

Local names reflect regional traditions:

• Sarna (Jharkhand/Bihar)
• Devrai (Maharashtra)
• Devarakadu (Karnataka)
• Kavu (Kerala)
• Law Kyntang (Meghalaya)
• Oran (Rajasthan)
• Dev Van (Himachal Pradesh)

Community Management Practices

• Strict bans on logging, grazing (in some regions), and hunting
• Ritual-based protection and periodic community monitoring
• Managed by temple committees, clan groups, village councils, or traditional institutions 

Importance of Sacred Groves:

• Biodiversity refuges and genetic reservoirs: Sacred groves serve as small but highly effective biodiversity refuges that preserve original vegetation and rare species within otherwise modified landscapes. Early ecological research by Gadgil and Vartak (1975) demonstrated that many sacred groves in the Western Ghats retain relic climax forests that have vanished from surrounding areas due to human pressure. Building on this, Chandran and Hughes (2000) showed that sacred groves in Uttara Kannada contain higher native tree diversity and better structural integrity than nearby reserve forests. 

• Water conservation and hydrological stability: The ecological integrity of sacred groves also plays a crucial role in maintaining local hydrological systems. Dense canopy cover, thick leaf litter, and undisturbed soils enhance infiltration, reduce runoff, and sustain groundwater recharge. A detailed study of the Mawphlang Sacred Grove in Meghalaya by Tiwari, Barik and Tripathi (1998) found that the grove helps maintain perennial stream flow and significantly reduces soil erosion and sediment load. Similarly, the IUCN–UNESCO report (2007) documented that many sacred groves in the Western Ghats function as micro-watersheds, supporting village water security and maintaining high water quality throughout the year. 

• Soil protection, nutrient cycling and carbon storage: Because human disturbance is minimal, sacred groves maintain stable soil conditions and high levels of organic matter. Continuous litter deposition improves nutrient cycling, enhances moisture retention, and prevents erosion. 

• Landscape connectivity and ecosystem functioning: Beyond their local benefits, sacred groves contribute to landscape-level ecological stability by acting as stepping stones in fragmented environments. These patches provide habitat, resting sites, and movement corridors for birds, pollinators, bats, and small mammals, thereby supporting ecological processes such as pollination and seed dispersal.  

Emerging challenges to Sacred Groves:

• Declining cultural protection: Sacred groves have traditionally survived due to strong religious beliefs and community taboos, but changing lifestyles, migration, and weakening traditional institutions are reducing community participation. Studies such as, IUCN–UNESCO (2007) and Bhagwat & Rutte (2006) note that the erosion of cultural practices is leading to neglect and gradual degradation. 

• Encroachment and land-use change: Growing pressure for agriculture, settlements, and plantations has resulted in the shrinking and fragmentation of many groves 

• Development and infrastructure pressures: Mining, roads, industries, and renewable energy projects are increasingly diverting community lands. In Rajasthan, for instance, Orans are being allocated for solar and wind projects, affecting grazing systems and wildlife habitats. 

• Lack of mapping and legal recognition: Many sacred groves remain unrecorded in revenue or forest records and are often classified as wasteland, making them vulnerable to diversion. Despite provisions under the Forest Rights Act (2006) and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, implementation and formal recognition remain limited. 

Policy framework:

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: States can notify such areas as Community Reserves for biodiversity conservation.

Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006: Recognizes sacred groves as part of Community Forest Resources, giving the Gram Sabha authority to protect and manage them. 

Global conservation efforts for Sacred Groves:

• Alignment with IUCN green list standards: The conservation of sacred groves is consistent with the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, which emphasises effective governance, community participation, and the protection of cultural values alongside biodiversity. 

• Potential as OECMs (Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures): Under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), sacred groves qualify as OECMs are not formally designated as protected areas but deliver long-term biodiversity conservation outcomes. Recognising sacred groves as OECMs can help countries, including India, contribute to the Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022), which aims to conserve 30% of land and sea by 2030 (30x30 target). 

• Contribution to climate and sustainable development goals: By conserving mature vegetation and ecosystem services, sacred groves support climate mitigation, water security, and livelihood resilience, aligning with global goals such as SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). 

Conclusion:

Sacred groves represent a unique conservation tradition where faith, culture, and ecology intersect. Strengthening their documentation, legal recognition, and community-led governance can make them an important pillar of India’s biodiversity conservation and climate resilience strategy.

Source: Scroll.in