On December 18 (2024), the Supreme Court told the Union government to create a comprehensive policy for the management of sacred groves across the country. The apex also directed the state of Rajasthan to complete the survey and notification of sacred groves (orans) in all districts.
Key Highlights:
- Comprehensive Policy Development:
- The Union government has been tasked with formulating a nationwide policy for sacred grove management.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is to lead efforts, ensuring strict guidelines against the degradation of these groves.
- Survey and Notification:
- Rajasthan must expedite the survey and notification process for sacred groves across its districts.
- A nationwide survey, as suggested by the court, will map the extent and boundaries of groves, leaving room for their natural expansion.
- Community-Centric Preservation:
- The court emphasizes recognizing the traditional communities historically protecting these groves.
- Designating groves as Community Forest Resources under the Forest Rights Act and, where applicable, as community reserves under the Wildlife Protection Act is essential.
- What are sacred groves?
- Sacred groves are patches of trees traditionally protected by local communities for their religious and cultural significance.
- They also contribute to the conservation of the local biodiversity.
- These small forests are commonly found in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
- Cultural and Ecological Importance:
- Sacred groves are not only cultural heritage sites but also critical for biodiversity conservation.
- The National Forest Policy of 1988 and earlier judicial precedents encourage community-driven protection of such patches.
- State-Central Collaboration:
- The Union Government had noted that the Section 36-C of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 empowered State governments for declaration of any private or community land, as a community reserve, for protecting fauna, flora and traditional or cultural conservation values and practices.
- The court’s direction for a central framework indicates the need for a unified approach.
- States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, where sacred groves are prevalent, can offer valuable models for replication.
Conclusion
This directive reaffirms the Supreme Court’s role in environmental jurisprudence, bridging cultural rights with ecological preservation. The structured identification, protection, and management of sacred groves can serve as a template for community-driven conservation, ensuring the survival of these natural treasures for future generations.
