Why in the News?

On December 18, 2024, the Supreme Court ordered Rajasthan’s Forest Department to map all sacred groves using satellite and ground surveys based on their cultural and ecological importance, regardless of their size.

What are the implications of the December 18 order? 

• Conflict with the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 – The order contradicts the FRA, which was enacted to recognize and vest forest rights with gram sabhas. Instead, the decision shifts control from communities to the Forest Department.
• Loss of Community Autonomy – Sacred groves, which have been traditionally protected by local communities, will now be governed by state authorities, potentially disrupting cultural conservation practices.
• Potential Erosion of Traditional Governance Systems – The transfer of management could weaken customary laws and traditional conservation practices that have preserved these groves for generations.
• Legal Precedence for Future Cases – By prioritizing the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972, over the FRA, this order may set a precedent for other community-managed lands to be taken over by the Forest Department.
• Impact on Livelihoods and Religious Practices – Communities that depend on sacred groves for religious, medicinal, and cultural purposes may face restrictions under the new classification as ‘community reserves’.

What did T.N. Godavarman v. Union of India establish about the definition of ‘forest land’? 

• Broad Definition: The Supreme Court established that ‘forest land’ includes not only areas understood as forests in the dictionary sense but also any area recorded as forest in government records, regardless of ownership.
• Expert Committees: The ruling directed state governments to form expert committees to identify areas that fit this definition of ‘forest land’.

How are sacred groves traditionally conserved by communities?

• Watershed & Ecological Functions: Many sacred groves protect natural water sources, prevent soil erosion, and regulate local climate. Example: Orans (Rajasthan) – These groves support perennial water streams and serve as critical grazing lands for livestock.
• Strict Protection through Customary Laws & Taboos: Communities impose strict prohibitions on tree felling, hunting, or resource extraction in sacred groves. Example: Sarpa Kavu (Kerala) – These groves are dedicated to serpent deities, and cutting trees is considered a bad omen.
• Religious & Cultural Practices for Conservation: Rituals, festivals, and community prayers reinforce the spiritual importance of these groves. Example: Devara Kadu (Karnataka) – Annual worship ceremonies maintain local participation in conservation efforts.
• Community Governance & Management: Local elders, priests, or village councils oversee the maintenance and enforcement of protection norms. Example: Jahera (Odisha, Chhattisgarh) – Tribal communities like the Gonds and Santhals manage these groves as sacred spaces.
• Role in Biodiversity Preservation: The groves act as biodiversity hotspots, protecting endemic flora, fauna, and medicinal plants. Example: Law Kyntang (Meghalaya) – Khasi communities conserve these forests, which shelter rare orchids and medicinal herbs.

Way forward:

• Harmonizing Legal Frameworks – Amend policies to ensure the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, and Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972, work in tandem, recognizing gram sabhas’ authority in managing sacred groves while ensuring ecological conservation.
• Community-Centric Conservation – Strengthen traditional governance systems by legally empowering local communities to manage sacred groves, integrating scientific conservation methods with cultural practices.

Mains PYQ:

Q Examine the status of forest resources in India and its resultant impact on climate change. (UPSC IAS/2020)

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