SC asks Centre to Form Policy on Sacred Groves

About Sacred Groves

• Sacred groves are patches of natural vegetation protected for their religious, cultural or ecological significance.
• These areas are often associated with deities, spirits or religious beliefs, and human interference is generally prohibited or restricted.
• India has over 13,000 documented Sacred Groves.
• They are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act,1972.

Some Famous Sacred Groves of India

• Hariyali: This is one of the largest sacred groves of India, located near Gauchar in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand.
• Deodar grove: located in Shipin near Simla in Himachal Pradesh.

Guidelines of Supreme Court

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will conduct a nationwide survey.
• The survey should identify the area, location and extent of sacred groves in each state.
• Boundaries of sacred groves should remain flexible to accommodate natural growth but must be strictly protected against any reduction due to agricultural activities, human habitation or deforestation.

Local Names of Sacred Groves

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