Preserving India’s sacred groves can help the country achieve its conservation & climate goals: Experts

Preserving India’s sacred groves can help the country achieve its conservation & climate goals: Experts

Sub: Env

Sec: Biodiversity

Sacred groves:

• Sacred groves are traditional forest patches revered by tribal communities for cultural and spiritual significance.
• Known by various names: Sarnas in Jharkhand, Devgudis in Chhattisgarh, Orans in Rajasthan
• Sizes vary from a single tree to several acres; e.g., a sacred sal tree in Jharkhand.
• Estimated total area: 33,000 hectares (0.01% of India’s total area).
• Maharashtra leads with nearly 3,000 groves documented.
• Threatened by deforestation, mining, and developmental activities.

Cultural and Ecological Significance:

• They are rich in biodiversity and function as carbon sinks, aiding climate change mitigation.
• Integral to tribal traditions and worship practices, fostering a deep bond with nature.
• Act as small-scale conservation areas, harbouring flora and fauna, including smaller biodiversity.

Sacred Groves as Conservation Areas:

• Sacred groves reflect traditional ecological preservation predating modern conservation concepts.
• Many communities, such as the Thakars, Koknas, and Warlis, worship tiger and leopard deities (e.g., Waghoba).
• Worship rituals promote peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife (e.g., Aarey forest and Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai).

Key Conservation Examples:

• Maharashtra’s Raigad District:
  • Grove: Taata chi Vanrai dedicated to Waghoba.
  • Leopard sighting after 20 years highlights its ecological value.
  • Managed by the Thakar tribe with support from the Pardhi family and Waghoba Habitat Foundation.
• Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Chandrapur:
  • Statues of Waghoba erected to honor tiger-related human losses.
  • Active buffer zones provide employment, fostering acceptance of conservation efforts despite conflicts.

Government and Community Initiatives:

• Jharkhand: Gherabandi (boundary walls) was introduced in 2019 for grove conservation.
• Chhattisgarh: The previous government undertook the renovation of groves.
• Criticism: Efforts often exclude tribal voices and overlook sacred groves in favour of reserved forests.

Role of Sacred Groves in Climate Goals:

• Classified as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
  • Governed by communities to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.
  • Promote climate change mitigation while preserving cultural and spiritual values.

Challenges and Future Outlook

• The decline of groves threatens tribal cultures and traditions like Waghoba worship.
• Preservation of groves and associated customs is critical for achieving India’s conservation and climate goals.
• Proper management and community inclusion are key to sustaining these unique ecological and cultural systems.

What is an OECM?

• The term ‘other effective area-based conservation measure’ describes a geographic site, which is not within a protected area, that delivers long-term biodiversity conservation under equitable governance and management.
• OECMs can be governed by a variety of rights holders and actors including Indigenous peoples and local communities, government agencies, as well as sectoral actors, private organizations, and individuals.

Origin of the concept of OECMs:

• The term first appeared in 2010 within the Aichi Biodiversity Targets—global conservation goals established by the CBD as part of a strategic plan to conserve biodiversity.
• In 2018, an official definition was adopted.
• OECMs can be found referenced alongside protected areas as a key approach to biodiversity conservation in the draft of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)

• Location: Chandrapur district, Maharashtra.
• Established: 1955.
• Significance:
  • The oldest and largest tiger reserve in Maharashtra.
  • Named after Tadoba Lake and Andhari River.
  • Comprises Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Area: Covers approximately 1,727 sq km, including core and buffer zones.
• Flora and Fauna:
  • Vegetation includes teak, bamboo, and grasslands.
  • Hosts Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, sloth bears, Indian gaur, wild dogs, and over 195 bird species.

Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve:

• Location: Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh.
• Established: 2008.
• Significance:
  • Part of the Eastern Ghats, crucial for central India’s wildlife corridor.
  • Named after the Udanti and Sitanadi rivers.
• Area: Covers approximately 1,845 sq km.
• Flora and Fauna:
  • Dense sal forests and mixed deciduous vegetation.
  • Home to tigers, leopards, wild buffalo (state animal of Chhattisgarh), hyenas, and several bird species.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP):

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Established: 1996.
• Significance:
  • One of the most biodiverse urban national parks in the world.
  • Lies adjacent to Aarey Forest and houses the ancient Kanheri Caves.
• Area: Covers approximately 87 sq km.
• Flora and Fauna:
  • Features evergreen and semi-deciduous forests.
  • Home to leopards, rusty-spotted cats, bonnet macaques, sambar deer, and over 250 bird species.

List of Sacred groves and their respective states in India:

Source: DTE