Applied
Environmental
Research
Foundation
Sacred Groves
CONSERVATION & RESTORATION
3 DECADES OF PROTECTING, RESTORING & PROMOTING INNOVATIVE MECHANISMS FOR COMMUNITY BASED CONSERVATION OF SACRED GROVES FROM NORTHERN WESTERN GHATS / KONKAN
AERF'S INTERVENTIONS & MILESTONES
650+
Sacred groves from the Northern Western Ghats (Maharashtra & Goa) assessed for conservation intervention
16
Sacred groves under certification & NTFP based enterprise development
10+
Sacred groves where eco-restoration is in progress
18
Sacred groves linked to Sahyadri Konkan Corridor where conservation work is in progress
PROGRAMME GOALS & ACTIVITIES
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To revive community interest in Sacred Groves
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To induce communities to take action towards protection, management and restoration of their Sacred Groves
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To design and develop community based programmes to ensure the long term survival of Sacred Groves in the northern Western Ghats
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To understand the ecology and dynamics within and between forest fragments and design conservation management strategies.
Sacred Groves are old growth forest patches traditionally protected by communities in reverence of a deity. In absence of statutory protected areas and in the wake of mass deforestation Sacred Groves (locally Known as Devrahati in the Northern Western Ghats, Konkan) form important repositories of forest biodiversity and provide refuge to many plant and animal species of conservation significance. Sacred Groves are not only important sites for regional biodiversity but also provide vital ecosystem services to local people. These community forests harbour valuable biodiversity and are under tremendous pressure and threats such as encroachments for agriculture, grazing, developmental activities like roads, dams, canals, urbanization and industrialization. AERF has been exploring the untouched sacred groves of northern Western Ghats for 3 decades and have worked strategically towards their conservation and restoration
Our Director Dr. Archana Godbole was invited to speak about 'sacred groves' on a popular Marathi podcast. Here is the complete video where she delves deep into the concept referencing important snippets from her award winning book 'Devrai Akhyaan' on the same subject.
Project Partner :
Project: Conserving the Sacred : Respecting the tradition, restoring faith and species with community engagement in NWG India.
Year: 2021 - ongoing
Programme-specific Focus : Sacred Grove restoration
Milestones:
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Conservation assessment of 10 sacred groves
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Started restoration of 4 sacred groves spanning 64 acres
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50+ local people employed in these interventions generating more than 3483 man days of work.
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More than 3959 seedlings planted in Kule, Borsut and Hativ sacred groves
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More than 3566 trees from these sacred groves were freed from invasive shrubs and climbers
Project Partner :
Project: Scaling up conservation of micro-corridors for saving endangered species in the northern Western Ghats
Year: 2018 - 2022
Programme-specific Focus : Connecting sacred groves through establishment of functional corridors for safe movement of important flagship species.
Milestones:
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Protected 1554 acres of forests.
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Ecological assessment of seven different privately owned forest patches for both the structural and functional connectivity showed that the private forests in different study sites might act as stepping stone for landscape corridors
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Established network of functional corridors between various sacred groves for safe movement of important flagship species - created 4 microcorridors connecting 12 sacred groves spanning 228 acres in 7 villages.
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The team covered a total of 579 kilometres of forest surveys in 102 visits to record the biodiversity of the forests.
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The team recorded a total of 679 species of flora and fauna. Out of those 679 species, 54 are endemic to the Western Ghats and 36 are mentioned in the IUCN Red List data book.
Project Partner :
Project: Leveraging socio - economic benefits of ecosystem services for sacred groves conservation in the Western Ghats of India
Year:
Programme-specific Focus : Surveying sacred groves for threats and opportunities and drafting comprehensive management plans for them
Milestones:
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51 sacred groves surveyed for biodiversity markers, social markers and conservation threats.
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Studied the ecosystem services provided by these groves along with NTFP value chain potential by documenting and marking trees.
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Conducted capacity building sessions with Grampanchayat and Biodiversity Management Committees along with the local community.
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Implemented restoration activities like removed of invasive shrubs and climbers sacred groves of Devhare, Gavtale and Vakavali.
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Completed NTFP assessment and initial restoration activities after thorough discussions and capacity building sessions with the communities in sacred groves of Mirle and Khanu
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Drafted detailed management plans for 20 sacred groves and started its implementation.
Project Partner :
Project: Ensuring long-term conservation of globally threatened species in the 'dangs' of Sahyadris
Year: 2019 - 2022
Programme-specific Focus : Exploring old-growth forest fragments called ‘dangs’ which are dense and typically away from human settlements, yet conserved and revered in the name of a deity.
Milestones:
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In the field of conservation, fragmentation is considered a major threat to biodiversity conservation, but sacred groves are maintained and protected in the name of local deities in almost every village.
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In this partnership, we explored previously unexplored pockets of Sayhadris to understand the extent and depth of this tradition.
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Biodiversity assessment of 22 old-growth forests/Dangs in these blocks
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Protected 187 acres of forests around 3 Dangs in Ratambhi and Bhambed. Many rare, threatened and endemic
species are found in the conserved forests, including
Sageraea laurifolia, Drypetes venusta, Nothopegia
castanaefolia, and Chukrasia tabularis.
Project Partner :
Project: Earth Expeditions India Programme - Species, Deities and Communities
Year: 2014 - ongoing
Programme-specific Focus : Focusing on themes such as biodiversity, sacred groves, religion and conservation, and local ecological knowledge through field visits, community interactions, and reflective learning. Participants from USA explore how traditional practices and local values can inform sustainable environmental stewardship.
Overview & Milestones:
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Earth Expeditions is a global program supporting university courses, degree programs, and collaborative projects that are making a difference in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Under this programme, students travel to pivotal hotspots worldwide to engage in inquiry and action projects while developing new approaches to address the vital issues of our time. The purpose is also to build relationships with leading educators, community leaders, and conservationists from around the world.
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In 2014, we launched the first India Course at AERF field sites in Sangameshwar and Bhimashankar, focusing on community-based biodiversity conservation..
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Since then, we have continuously refined the course structure based on participant feedback and on-ground learning, with expansion of themes in ethno-ecology, spiritual ecology, and participatory education.
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Ongoing Impact of EE India - Strengthened alliances with local educators, community leaders, and conservationists, fostering long-term knowledge exchange and sustainable conservation practices in the Northern Western Ghats
