“Unlike a botanical garden, where a wide range of trees and plants are collected and cultivated for the purpose of our education and enjoyment, the sacred groves are one method of expressing the gratitude of human beings to the trees which sustain and support life under a given agro-ecological condition.”
– Dr. M. S. Swaminathan.
According to renowned ecologist Professor Madhav Gadgil, the practice of conserving nature in India dates back to the pre-agricultural era when human activities were restricted to hunting and gathering.
Indigenous communities worldwide believe certain plants and animal species are sacred because of their association with particular deities.
The practice of Devrais in Maharashtra, which is commonly known as “sacred groves”, is one of such practices continuing since the ancient era. However, due to the advent of industrialization and the “weakening of religious beliefs” in the modern era, these Devrais are in danger, which enjoyed traditional protection from local communities in the past times.
Interestingly, such sacred groves have been found in the Western Ghats (“hot spots” of bio-diversity in India) spread over Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.
Even the much-talked-about movie of 2022, “Kantara”, also depicts the concept of sacred groves in the state of Karnataka, which was protected by the villagers and where the practice of Bhoota Kola was performed.
What Are Devrais?
In Maharashtra (specifically in Pune, Ratnagiri, Raigad and Kolhapur districts), small forestlands are protected by village communities or local people with a traditional belief in the supernatural power of forest deity. Such small forestlands are known as “Devrai” or “Deorai”.
Such practices are also present in various communities and states across India, but this article’s scope is limited to the concept of Devrais in Maharashtra.
The different names for Devrai are used in different parts of the country, such as Pavithra Vana, Kovikaadugal, Jahera, Devgudi, Banis, Haritan, Sarna, Lai Umang, Kovil Kadu, etc. Etymologically the word “Devrai” is derived from two words; that is Dev (which means God in Marathi) and rai (which means forest in Marathi).
Therefore, Devrai literally means God’s Forest, which is considered sacred by the village communities around such forests. Such areas are protected on the basis of folk knowledge and traditional ancient practices.
Importance Of Devrais For Protecting Local Bio-Diversity
These Devrais have been entirely or partially restricted from any human interference, which provided habitat for rare species of animals, arboreal birds, mammals and vegetation.
Due to limited resource extraction from such Devrais, they prove to be rich resources for fruit-bearing trees, small water bodies, habitats, and other factors responsible for biodiversity enrichment.
Some essential functions such as maintaining local ecological balance, conserving watersheds for birds and animals, preserving bio-resources, sustainable use of resources, etc., which are crucial steps for maintaining forests, are frequently followed here in this traditional system.
Due to the abundance of diversity in species of trees, Devrais often preserve certain plant species which may have medicinal purposes for the communities or tribes. Such plants possess medicinal properties and can also have commercial value if studied properly and exploited.
As per one of the studies, many tribes or communities often depend upon resource extraction from such forests. They also worship the deities of those forests. An example has been given for the Dhangar and Mahadeo Koli tribes in this regard, whose livelihoods were dependent on Devrais, apart from working as agricultural labourers in the Mulshi region.
Present Status Of Devrais In Maharashtra
In the 1980s, research conducted by Professor Madhav Gadgil and V. D. Vartak was the pioneering study which identified 233 Devrai forests in Maharashtra. Further, this number increased to 900 when different ecologists undertook similar studies till 1999.
However, no such comprehensive study is available that will enlighten the present status of Devrais in the state.
In the last two decades, several issues, such as rapid growth of urbanization, tree felling activities, and unwarranted beautification, have emerged, which eventually resulted in shrinking the size of Devrais in the state.
Statutory Protection Through Indian Laws
The state monopoly over forests began with the enactment of the Indian Forests Act of 1878. This act took away the community’s rights over forests, and the exclusive monopoly of the state over the forests began in India.
These community rights over forests involve their “right to use, conserve and manage the forests” which they occupy and to which they are naturally entitled.
Due to this act, traditional communities were deprived of their right over the forests, which also included Devrais in British India. This practice continued even after the independence of the nation.
Due to state ownership of forests, many practices such as timber theft, hunting, and exploitation of resources continued to rise as local village communities were unable to restrict them due to the state’s focus on the commercial use of such forests.
Since ancient times, these Devrais have been protected through the involvement of the local community, but after the amendment, it comes under “community reserves” as per the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002.
Further, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act of 2006 was also enacted, which made attempts to strengthen traditional community efforts to protect such forests, including Devrais. However, these statutory efforts are not adequate as such village communities have not been at the forefront.
What Is The Way Forward?
Due to the rapid rate of deforestation, such Devrais are the only source of original forests in some areas.
Though there is no evidence available to prove that such sacred groves or Devrais have been created with a specific focus on the conservation of biodiversity, this concept can be used as a strategy while formulating future environmental policies with the support of local communities and traditional knowledge systems.
In the words of Professor Gadgil, “these are the only remnants of the original forest mainland in near climax condition”. As the religious beliefs on which such Devrais have been founded are weakening with the changing times, there is an urgent need to protect the remaining Devrais.
Therefore, it must be borne in mind that whatever is remained of our rich biological heritage has been preserved by the previous generations since the ages and therefore, it is our sincere duty to continue protecting them for the next generation which is also recognized as “intergenerational equity” in the present International legal framework for environmental law.
Before it is too late, we must locate such Devrais and incorporate measures for their protection. Therefore, scientific studies equipped with awareness programs and stringent legislation providing punishments are needed.