Why in news
The Supreme Court directed the Centre to create a comprehensive policy for managing sacred groves across India.
The decision followed a petition highlighting the decline of sacred groves in Rajasthan.
Significance of sacred groves
It plays a crucial role in soil conservation and preventing soil erosion, which maintains soil fertility.
Sacred groves act as natural windbreaks, shielding nearby settlements and agricultural lands from strong winds and reducing damage, hurricanes, or storms.
They contain a high level of biodiversity because they are protected from human interference. This makes them important for rare and endangered species seeking habitats.
One of the most important traditional uses of sacred groves was that it acted as a repository for various Ayurvedic medicines.
Religious Significance: They are dedicated to a particular deity or spirit. They are seen as the dwelling place of such beings, and also as a place where humans can connect with the divine.
Integral to local traditions and beliefs, sacred groves enrich cultural heritage through rituals, stories, and connections to ancestral wisdom, fostering community identity and pride.
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