Sustainability Through Sacred Groves

Sacred groves have historically been a crucial form of conservation strategy around the globe, finding a place from the European continent to Southeast Asian countries. India is a prime location for their existence, hosting approximately 15,000 sacred groves. With such an excessive number of forests being protected through traditional knowledge, conducting a socioeconomic and environmental evaluation of the concept becomes crucial. With the impending threats of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, this concept could be the key to a sustainable future. The study, therefore, focuses on establishing the relationship between sacred groves and sustainable development by highlighting the various sustainable development goals (SDGs) that this specific concept could address. This concept is highly relevant in the present context and, if utilized to its potential, could have a significant impact on meeting the sustainable development goals and the intended nationally determined contributions (INDC). To achieve these goals, it is imperative that all stakeholders work in synchronization and that indigenous technical knowledge is preserved and prioritized. Additionally, a comprehensive framework is established to assess and effectively evaluate the qualitative and quantitative impacts of the sacred groves on sustainability in the Indian context and around the globe.