CPREEC - EIACP Programme Centre, Resource Partner on Ecological Heritage and Sacred Sites of India

A sacred forest or grove comprises patches of natural vegetation – from a few trees to several acres – that are dedicated to local deities or tree spirits. These spaces are protected by local communities because of their religious beliefs and traditional rituals that run through several generations.

The degree of sanctity accorded to the sacred groves varies from one area to another. In some forests, even the dry foliage and fallen fruits are not touched. People believe that any kind of disturbance will offend the local deity, causing diseases, natural calamities or failure of crops. For example, the Garo and the Khasi tribes of north-eastern India prohibit any human interference in the sacred groves. In other places, deadwood or dried leaves may be picked up, but the live tree or its branches are never cut. For example, the Gonds of central India prohibit the cutting of a tree but allow fallen parts to be used.

Ecological Significance

Conservation of Biodiversity – The sacred groves are important repositories of floral and faunal diversity that have been conserved by local communities in a sustainable manner. They are often the last refuge of endemic species in a geographic region.

Recharge of aquifers – The groves are often associated with ponds, streams or springs, which support the water requirements of the local people. The vegetative cover helps in the recharging aquifers.

Soil conservation - The vegetation cover of the sacred groves improves the soil stability of the area and prevents soil erosion.

Distribution of Sacred Forests in India

In India, sacred groves are found all over the country and abundantly along the Western Ghats. Although, there has been no comprehensive study of  sacred groves in the entire country, experts estimate the total number of sacred groves in India could be in the range of 100,000 – 150,000.

Threats to the Sacred Forests

The threats vary from one region to the other and even from one forest to the other. But the common threats identified are: 

• Disappearance of the traditional belief systems, which were fundamental to the concept of sacred forests. These systems and their rituals are now considered mere superstition

• Sacred forests in many parts of our country have been destroyed due to rapid urbanization and developmental interventions such as roads, railways tracks, dams including commercial foretry. Encroachment has led to the shrinkage of some of the largest forests in the country

• Many forests are suffering due to ‘Sanskritisation’ or the transformation of the primitive forms of nature worship into formal temple worship

• Invasion by exotic weeds such as Eupatorium odoratum, Lantana camara and Prosopis juliflora is a serious threat to some grove

• Pressures due to increasing livestock and fuelwood collection

Source: “Cultural and Ecological Dimensions of Sacred Groves in India” by Malhotra, K.C., Gokhale, Y., and Chatterjee, S., 1998

Source:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obHsBGe9nbw