In Brief
Sacred groves (known as Orans in Rajasthan) are community-protected forests holding deep cultural and ecological significance. The Supreme Court directed Rajasthan to classify approximately 25,000 Orans as 'forests' under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, based on their importance to local biodiversity and heritage, regardless of size. The State must complete identification and survey with community involvement and declare these areas as forest land, following recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee. The Court also suggested recognizing them as community reserves under wildlife law and directed the ministry to establish a comprehensive national policy for sacred grove protection.
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