SHILLONG, Jan 9: As deforestation and climate change continue to ravage ecosystems worldwide, Meghalaya’s sacred groves have been standing as the perfect balance between nature and culture.
However, these forest patches, preserved by indigenous communities for centuries, are now threatened by human encroachment, resource exploitation, and ecological degradation.
The recent call by the Supreme Court for a comprehensive national policy to protect the sacred groves offers a lifeline for Meghalaya, where these groves are not only cultural symbols but also critical to environmental conservation. The court’s directive, issued while addressing a plea related to sacred groves in Rajasthan, carries significant implications for Meghalaya, home to some of India’s most pristine and culturally revered forest patches.
In Meghalaya, the sacred groves are known by various names — Law Lyngdoh, Law Niam, Law Kyntang (Khasi Hills), Khloo Blai (Jaintia Hills), and Asheng Khosi (Garo Hills). They are considered abodes of deities and are protected through customary laws and taboos that prohibit any form of exploitation.
Ecologically, these groves are invaluable. Acting as biodiversity hotspots, they provide refuge to endangered species of plants and animals, maintain soil stability, regulate the water cycle, and foster natural seed dispersal. A recent report by the Meghalaya Forest Department said the sacred groves serve as critical habitats for pollinators and predators, aiding both agriculture and ecosystem health.
The sacred groves also function as climate regulators, mitigating the impacts of climate change by storing carbon and maintaining local hydrology. Amid growing urbanization and deforestation, these groves remain among the few untouched ecosystems in Meghalaya.
Despite their significance, the sacred groves in Meghalaya are under increasing pressure. Encroachment for agriculture and development, logging, and the effects of climate change have begun to erode these once-pristine forest patches. A 2023 study by the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority revealed that several sacred groves have lost up to 20% of their area in the past decade alone, primarily due to human activities.
Additionally, the lack of formal legal recognition has left these groves vulnerable.
Earlier, the Meghalaya Forest Department appealed to the Centre to designate sacred groves as community reserves under Section 38C of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This move would grant legal recognition to these groves, ensuring stricter protection measures and making them eligible for financial assistance under schemes such as the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats.
A report titled Forest Inventory of Sacred Groves in Meghalaya (Volume – III) said: “The notification of sacred grove areas as a community reserve will accord legal recognition and protection. It will also make them eligible to receive financial assistance.”
Meghalaya’s sacred groves are central to achieving the goals outlined in India’s National Forest Policy, 1988, which aims to bring 60% of the total area in hilly states under forest cover. Currently, Meghalaya’s forest cover stands at approximately 76%, but much of this includes degraded and fragmented forests.
Sacred groves, with their undisturbed ecosystems, could play a key role in bridging the gap.
