Why in News? 

The Supreme Court directed the Central Government to create a comprehensive policy for the management of sacred groves across the country. 

Sacred Groves 

Sacred Groves: Key Points 

What are Sacred Groves? 

Natural or near-natural vegetation dedicated by local communities to ancestral spirits or deities. 

• Known as sarnas (Jharkhand), devgudis (Chhattisgarh), and orans (Rajasthan). 
• Range in size from small clusters to large areas; some consist of a single sacred tree. 
•  Legal Protection: Sacred groves are protected under ‘community reserves’ in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002. 

Extent and Distribution 

• Cover about 33,000 hectares, 0.01% of India's land area. 
• Over 13,000 documented sacred groves across India. 
• States with rich sacred groves: Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu. 
• Maharashtra has nearly 3,000 documented groves. 

Biodiversity and Cultural Significance 

• Sacred groves are biodiversity hotspots. 
• Tribal communities have deep cultural and spiritual connections with these groves. 
• Symbolize environmental conservation through spiritual codes and governance. 

Role in Climate Goals 

• Sacred groves act as carbon sinks, helping in climate change mitigation. 
• Preservation is key for achieving India's net-zero target by 2070. 
• Effective management helps maintain the human-nature bond. 

Conservation Approach (OECM) 

• Sacred groves follow the "Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures" (OECM) approach. 
• Managed by communities, integrating cultural values into biodiversity conservation. 
• Ensures long-term preservation of biodiversity. 

Government Initiatives 

• Gherabandi in Jharkhand (2019) introduced boundary walls for grove protection. 
• Renovation projects in Chhattisgarh aimed at restoring groves. 
• Sacred groves often neglected due to limited community involvement and focus on reserved forests.