SC Directs Policy on Sacred Groves Management

On 18th December, 2024, the Supreme Court urged the Union government to create a national policy for the management of sacred groves, emphasizing their ecological, cultural, and traditional significance.

Key Points

Sacred Groves Defined: Patches of trees conserved by communities for religious and cultural significance, contributing to local biodiversity, commonly found in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Nationwide Survey: The court directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to lead a nationwide survey to identify, mark, and protect sacred groves.
Preservation Goals: Sacred groves should be designated as community reserves under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, to prevent deforestation and unauthorized land use.
Rajasthan Example: The judgment cited Piplantri village’s successful reforestation efforts, planting 111 trees for every girl child born, as a model for sustainable development.
Mapping Initiative: Rajasthan government tasked with mapping and classifying groves as forests, focusing on cultural and ecological value over size.
Community Role: Traditional communities with historical stewardship of sacred groves to be empowered under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, promoting sustainable conservation.
Next Steps: A five-member panel will oversee Rajasthan’s mapping and identification, with a compliance report due by 10th January, 2025.