Context:
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to create a comprehensive policy for the management of sacred groves across India, emphasizing their religious, cultural, and ecological significance.
Relevance:GS 2 (Polity & Governance)
Sacred Groves:
- Patches of trees protected by local communities for their religious and cultural importance.
- Contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation.
Regions:
- Found predominantly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Supreme Court Directive:
- Focuses on addressing the vanishing groves, especially highlighted in a petition from Rajasthan.
Policy Responsibility:
- Traditionally, wildlife management has been a state responsibility.
- The court urges the Centre to take a proactive role in protecting sacred groves.
Comprehensive Survey:
- Tasked to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- The survey aims to:
- Identify and protect sacred groves.
- Determine their extent and area with flexible boundaries for future growth.
- Prevent any reduction in grove areas.
- The survey aims to:
National Forest Policy of 1988:
- Justice Mehta highlighted the policy, which encourages community involvement in improving forest patches they depend on.
Piplantri Village Example:
- Piplantri Village transformed barren land into lush groves, showcasing the success of community-driven initiatives.
Ecological Value:
- Sacred groves hold immense ecological value and act as community reserves.
- Protect them against unauthorized land use changes and exploitation.
