Some communities in Rajasthan are opposing the state government’s proposal to classify orans (sacred groves) as deemed forests.
- A notification over the declaration of oran and ecological areas as deemed forest was released on February 1, 2024.
- The notification states that as per the directives of Supreme Court, oran, Dev-vans and Rundhs as forest lands will be given the status of deemed forest.
Concerns of communities
- Communities believe that once the oran is declared as deemed forest, they will be deprived of forest produce and access for herds and sheep in the forest area.
- There are many temples, places of worship and registered land under different ownership. Hence, the use of land contradicts the definition of forest if the 1996 Godavarman judgment is to be applied.
- The villagers said that oran land mainly falls in desert areas, so the dictionary meaning of forest is not applicable.
What are Deemed forests?
- Deemed forests are areas that have the characteristics of forests but are neither notified nor recorded in the government or revenue records.
- To protect such lands from further degradation, the Supreme Court in TN Godavarman case, by an order dated December 12, 1996, directed the state governments to identify such lands and stated that all ‘forest’ including deemed forests, will be covered under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
- The provisions under Section 2 prohibit non-forestry activity such as mining, deforestation, quarrying or building infrastructure projects on such forest land without permission from the central government.
- However, the move does not restrict any person or community from accessing the forest for grazing or worshipping.
(Source: Down to Earth)
