Sacred groves in northern Western Ghats face highest human pressure, study finds

The recent revelation that sacred groves in the northern Western Ghats are facing the highest levels of human pressure, despite their profound ecological importance, presents a critical challenge to India's conservation efforts. This finding, emerging from a study comparing various forest protection regimes, underscores the complex interplay between traditional conservation practices, human livelihoods, and modern developmental pressures.

**Background Context and Historical Significance:**

Sacred groves, known as 'Devrai' or 'Kavu' in various regional languages, are patches of forest or natural vegetation that are protected by local communities due to religious and cultural beliefs. These groves are often dedicated to a deity or ancestral spirits and are considered sacred spaces where felling of trees, hunting, and other forms of resource extraction are traditionally prohibited. Historically, these groves served as vital repositories of biodiversity, harboring rare and endemic species, and acting as crucial gene pools. They are living examples of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and community-based conservation, reflecting a deep-rooted respect for nature that has been passed down through generations. The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's eight 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity, are home to thousands of such sacred groves, which play an indispensable role in maintaining the region's ecological balance, including water regulation and microclimate moderation.

**What Happened (The Study's Findings):**

The study in question meticulously compared the efficacy of four different forest protection regimes in the northern Western Ghats: sacred groves, reserved forests, protected forests, and private forests. The research employed specific metrics to assess the extent of human disturbance in each category. Surprisingly, the findings indicated that sacred groves, despite their traditional protective status and cultural reverence, exhibited the highest levels of human-induced disturbance. This disturbance manifests in various forms, including encroachment for agriculture or settlement, unchecked resource extraction (like firewood collection, grazing), pollution, infrastructure development, and unregulated tourism. This paradox highlights a concerning trend where traditional conservation mechanisms are failing to withstand contemporary anthropogenic pressures.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

Several key stakeholders are intricately involved in this issue. **Local communities** are at the forefront, being both the traditional custodians of these groves and, in some cases, the source of pressure due due to socio-economic needs. **Religious institutions and temple trusts** often manage these groves and their level of engagement significantly impacts protection. **State Forest Departments** and other government bodies are responsible for overall forest conservation and policy implementation. **Environmental NGOs and research institutions** play a crucial role in studying these ecosystems, advocating for their protection, and raising awareness. Lastly, **policy makers** at various levels are responsible for crafting and enforcing regulations that balance conservation with development.

**Significance for India:**

The degradation of sacred groves carries profound implications for India. Ecologically, it signifies a loss of invaluable biodiversity, including rare and endemic species, and the erosion of critical ecosystem services. Culturally, it represents the weakening of traditional knowledge systems and the breakdown of community-based conservation ethos. Economically, the loss of these natural assets can impact local livelihoods that depend on healthy ecosystems, and undermine long-term sustainable development goals. From a governance perspective, it exposes the challenges in enforcing environmental laws and effectively integrating traditional practices with modern conservation strategies. The Western Ghats, being a vital water tower for peninsular India, means that any ecological degradation here has cascading effects on agriculture, drinking water security, and climate resilience across multiple states.

**Constitutional Provisions and Policies:**

India's constitutional framework provides a basis for environmental protection. **Article 48A** of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates that 'The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.' Furthermore, **Article 51A(g)**, a Fundamental Duty, states that 'It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.'

While sacred groves are not explicitly mentioned in central legislation, their protection falls under broader environmental laws. The **Biological Diversity Act, 2002**, is particularly relevant as it aims to conserve biodiversity, ensure its sustainable use, and equitably share the benefits arising from its utilization. It recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge and allows for the establishment of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at local levels, which can play a crucial role in sacred grove conservation. The **Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980**, regulates the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes, while the **Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972**, provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants, and establishes protected areas like sanctuaries and national parks, some of which may encompass or border sacred groves. The **National Forest Policy, 1988**, emphasizes the need for active involvement of local communities in forest protection and management.

**Future Implications:**

The study's findings necessitate a re-evaluation of current conservation approaches. Future strategies must focus on strengthening community participation and ownership, potentially through empowering local Biodiversity Management Committees or Gram Sabhas under the **Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA)**, where applicable. Integrating scientific ecological management with traditional conservation practices is crucial. There is a need for greater awareness campaigns to educate local populations about the long-term ecological and cultural value of these groves. Furthermore, sustainable livelihood alternatives for communities dependent on forest resources must be developed to reduce pressure. Policy interventions could explore special legal recognition and protection for sacred groves, perhaps through state-specific legislation, or by integrating them more formally into the existing protected area network with a community-centric management model. Unregulated tourism, if not properly managed, could further exacerbate the problem, necessitating robust ecotourism policies that prioritize conservation and benefit local communities.

This issue ties into broader themes of sustainable development, environmental justice, and the critical role of traditional ecological knowledge in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. The fate of sacred groves in the Western Ghats is a litmus test for India's commitment to preserving its natural heritage and balancing progress with ecological wisdom.