Advanced International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research

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Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Sacred Groves in India: Challenges of Legal Recognition and Environmental Protection

Author(s) Dr. Subholaxmi Mukherjee
Country India
Abstract This article critically examines the legal status and protection of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) embedded in sacred groves in India, situating the discussion within the broader framework of environmental governance, indigenous rights, and biodiversity conservation. Sacred groves—community-protected forest patches rooted in cultural and spiritual traditions—represent a unique convergence of ecological sustainability and customary law. Despite their proven role in conserving biodiversity and sustaining local ecosystems, these institutions remain marginally recognized within formal legal frameworks, leading to gaps in protection and governance.
The study adopts a doctrinal and interdisciplinary methodology, drawing upon environmental law, constitutional principles, and indigenous knowledge systems. It analyses statutory frameworks such as the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, and relevant forest and environmental regulations, alongside judicial interpretations that have progressively expanded the scope of environmental rights under the Constitution of India. The article identifies a persistent tension between state-centric conservation models and community-based ecological practices, which often results in the exclusion or dilution of traditional knowledge systems.
By engaging with case-based examples from different regions of India, the study demonstrates how sacred groves function as informal yet effective conservation regimes, preserving endemic species, maintaining ecological balance, and fostering sustainable resource use. However, the absence of a coherent legal recognition framework exposes these systems to threats such as deforestation, commercialization, and erosion of cultural practices.
The article argues for a harmonized legal framework that integrates TEK into formal environmental governance without undermining its community-based character. It proposes recognizing sacred groves as community-conserved areas, strengthening participatory governance, and embedding TEK within biodiversity and climate change policies. Such an approach aligns with constitutional values of environmental protection, decentralization, and cultural preservation.
The study concludes that the future of environmental sustainability in India depends not only on statutory regulation but also on the meaningful incorporation of indigenous knowledge systems, positioning sacred groves as vital instruments in achieving ecological resilience and sustainable development.
Keywords Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Sacred Groves, Environmental Law, Biodiversity Conservation, Forest Rights Act, Community Governance, Indigenous Knowledge, Sustainable Development
Discipline Arts
Published In Volume 4, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On 2026-05-14
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