Supreme Court’s recognition of ‘sacred groves’ as forests is a win for conservation, cultural rights

The Supreme Court order on December 18 recognising sacred groves as “deemed forests” goes beyond the traditional understanding of forests and conservation. It allowed sparse ecosystems of trees that are not documented or classified as forests under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 (formerly known as the Forest [Conservation] Act, 1980) to be protected.

The ruling reflects a conscious attempt by the Supreme Court to move beyond the conventional metrics of forest density and embrace a more inclusive, ecosystem-centric approach that values ecological functionality and cultural significance.

The order came in response to a petition that sacred groves, known in Rajasthan as orans, should be classified as forests so that they could be protected under the law. These culturally significant, ecologically vital groves are spread over 600,000 hectares in the state. They are biodiversity hotspots, water recharge zones and community resources.

The Supreme Court, in its judgement, has asked the Union government to frame a policy to conserve sacred groves across the country. Highlighting the cultural, spiritual and ecological importance of orans, the court directed Rajasthan to expedite surveys of these groves, to classify them as forests and involve local communities in conserving them.

This was the latest verdict by the court in response to a public...

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