Forest Rights and Climate Change: Conservation Through Indigenous Knowledge

Trees are the major weapons in fighting global warming and so are the forests. Forest has the potential to absorb approximately a tenth of carbon emissionsEmissions worldwide. But once disturbed, forests contribute around a sixth of carbon emissions globally. Signatories of the 2015 Climate Accord in Paris were to work towards cutting emissions from the use of fossil fuels and encouraging the protection of forests. The local forest dwelling communities and their indigenous knowledge have been playing a vital role in conserving forest resources. Sacred grovesSacred groves are examples of the conservation of forests by the native communities in situ. India is believed to have the highest concentration of sacred groves, which have socio-cultural, ecological and economic significance. However, currently, the size and number of sacred groves are decelerating at an alarming rate due to industrialization, infrastructure development and agriculture expansion. In this backdrop, the study is conducted in two tribal villages each in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts in Odisha, which are chosen purposively to understand the role and function of sacred groves in the lives of the forest dwelling communities. Mining and dam construction are some of the factors that have affected sacred groves adversely. It was found that the area under sacred groves is reduced and the dense groves are turning sparse and bare. The forest dwelling communities through their indigenous practices collectively conserve these groves. However, the rights of the tribal communities inhabiting these areas are unrecognized under the Forest Rights ActForest Rights Act as of now. Rights recognition is necessary to encourage the collective action of the community conservation initiative for sustainable conservation.