Haryana: The Haryana government has launched a statewide initiative to identify, document and digitally map sacred groves across the state, officials said on Saturday. The exercise, being conducted by the state forest department in coordination with district administrations, aims to create a consolidated database of these traditionally protected forest patches to support conservation planning and biodiversity protection.
Officials said the initiative will systematically record sacred groves in districts including Gurugram and other parts of Haryana, where field teams are working with local communities to locate and verify such sites. Sacred groves are small forest areas that have been preserved over generations due to religious beliefs and cultural traditions, often associated with local deities and community-led protection practices.
According to the forest department, the drive will result in a digitally mapped inventory of sacred groves, documenting their location, size, ecological characteristics, and cultural significance. The data is expected to be integrated into state-level environmental planning systems to support long-term conservation strategies.
Officials said the initiative is intended to address the lack of formal documentation of these areas, many of which exist only through oral history and traditional knowledge within villages. By creating an official record, the government aims to ensure better protection of these sites, particularly in regions facing rapid urban expansion.
Sacred groves are considered ecologically important because they often serve as small biodiversity refuges, supporting native plant species, birds, and other wildlife. Environmental experts note that such groves also play a role in soil conservation, groundwater recharge, and maintaining local ecological balance, especially in semi-urban and rural landscapes.
The initiative comes at a time when parts of Haryana, particularly the Gurugram–Aravalli region, are experiencing increasing pressure from infrastructure development and urbanisation. Environmental concerns have been raised in recent years over the loss and fragmentation of green cover in these areas, making the identification of remaining natural patches a priority for conservation authorities.
Officials said that once identified, sacred groves may be considered for enhanced protection measures depending on their ecological value and community dependence. The forest department will also assess whether any restoration efforts are required for groves that have been degraded or encroached upon.
Community participation is expected to play a key role in the process. Many sacred groves are maintained through informal traditional systems rather than formal legal frameworks, and local residents, village representatives and community groups are being consulted to provide information and historical context.
Environmental researchers have previously indicated that Haryana contains a significant number of such groves, though many remain undocumented or unevenly recorded across districts. The current exercise is expected to bring uniformity to this information and create a centralised reference system for policymakers and conservation planners.
Officials said the data collected during the drive will be compiled into a detailed report after field verification is completed. The findings are expected to guide future decisions on land-use planning, biodiversity conservation, and integration of traditional ecological practices into environmental governance.
The initiative is part of broader efforts by the state to strengthen green cover monitoring and incorporate community-based conservation systems into formal environmental policy frameworks.
