How Adivasis are fighting to protect their sacred groves from destruction

On the morning of March 7, hundreds of Adivasis dressed in traditional garb formed a human chain in the city of Ranchi.

The chain stretched across two kilometres, from Harmu chowk to Argora chowk, a route through which Jharkhand’s chief minister Hemant Soren was expected to pass on his way to attend the budget session of the assembly.

Protestors waved red and white striped flags, which represent the traditional Sarna faith of Adivasis in the region, and shouted, “Jharkhand sarkar, hosh mein aao!” – Jharkhand government, come to your senses.

They were protesting the recently completed construction of a ramp of the Siram Toli-Meccon flyover project in the Siram Toli area. Authorities claim that the flyover, which will span more than two kilometres, will reduce traffic congestion in the rapidly growing capital city.

But the Adivasi community is concerned because the end of the ramp is situated just a few feet from a site that holds immense social and cultural value to them: a kendriya Sarna sthal, or central sacred grove, which draws lakhs of visitors each year.

This is only the latest move that they say is eating into the grove’s land.

In 2022, the state’s welfare department took up a beautification plan that cost almost Rs 5 crore and included...

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