Sacred Grove as a Community-Oriented Biodiversity Preservation: A Research in the Shekhawati Terrain of Thar Desert
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64882/ijrt.v14.i4.1967Keywords:
Sacred Grove, Shekhawati region, Desert Biodiversity, Biological ImportanceAbstract
Sacred Groves, commonly known as Orans or Devbanis in local vernacular, exemplify community-driven biodiversity preservation within the Shekhawati region of the Thar Desert. The community firmly prohibits hunting, logging, and farming in these village commons, which are governed by the residents and dedicated to local deities. Environmental and Biological Importance Sacred forests act as "mini biosphere reserves" and provide refuge for fauna in this arid region. In Shekhawati, the preservation of heritage is more deeply embedded in socioreligious traditions than in formal legislation. Community-Centric Conservation Strategies Conservation in Shekhawati should be fundamentally anchored in socio-religious principles rather than in formal legislation. It is highlighted that, alongside protection, the suitable utilization and administration of this biodiversity is essential to meet agricultural and human requirements. The strategy must be designed to garner public endorsement.
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