By Gunika Nakra
In a world increasingly crowded with high-rise buildings and identical structures, it is difficult to find yourself back in nature except for a few patches of trees on the side of the road. Parks, too, feel artificial with their perfectly cut grass and manicured bushes. Among these artificial entities exist sacred groves, patches of forested land protected by and considered sacrosanct by rural communities. Their sacred beliefs ensure that no creature is harmed within that region. The groves frequently serve as the last remaining home for magnificent and ancient trees, as well as for species of lianas, medicinal plants, macaques, deer, birds, lizards, frogs, and other creatures that have become rare.
Sacred groves are mainly found in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In Europe, they were wiped out by Christianity and its anthropocentric nature. With the continuous, relentless exploitation of natural resources in India, sacred groves stand as an assertion of ancient values and humans’ love and respect for nature. Despite being dispersed throughout India, sacred groves are primarily found in forested regions like the Himalayas, the Northeastern and Central Hill Tracts, and the Western Ghats. There are over 1000 sacred forests in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. However, sacred groves also face the risk of infrastructure development, like in Rajasthan, where these forests were threatened by the construction of renewable energy infrastructure and high-tension power lines.
In contemporary times, as environmental concerns grow, the significance of sacred groves extends beyond cultural and religious aspects. They serve as models for sustainable conservation practices, highlighting the harmonious coexistence of human communities and the natural environment. Recognising the importance of sacred groves can thus contribute to the broader conversation on biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecological practices worldwide.
Further Reading:
Gadgil, M. (2021, February 18). Sacred Groves: an ancient tradition of nature conservation. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sacred-groves-an-ancient-tradition-of-nature-conservation/
Iqbal, M. (2022, December 25). A 225-km yatra to save the endangered sacred groves of Rajasthan. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/225-km-long-yatra-in-jaisalmer-demands-the-protection-of-sacred-groves/article66301741.ece
Posts, V. M. (2023, January 26). Sacred groves across India. Lakes of India. https://lakesofindia.com/2023/01/23/sacred-groves-across-india/
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