The Haryana government has launched a statewide “sacred grove identification drive” to map and document ecologically and culturally significant forest patches across the state, officials said on Saturday. The initiative, being carried out in Gurugram and other districts, aims to prepare the first comprehensive inventory of sacred groves, which are traditionally protected by local communities due to religious and cultural beliefs.
The exercise is being undertaken by the state forest department in coordination with local administrative units, and is expected to help strengthen conservation planning by formally recognising these biodiversity-rich areas. Officials said the drive will focus on identifying, recording, and mapping groves that have historically been preserved as community-protected forest spaces.
Sacred groves are small forest patches that are traditionally conserved by rural communities and often associated with local deities or religious practices. These areas are typically left undisturbed due to cultural beliefs, which has helped preserve native vegetation and wildlife over generations. Environmental experts say such groves act as important micro-ecosystems that support biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and local climate regulation.
According to officials, the identification drive will create a state-level database of sacred groves, including their location, size, ecological characteristics, and cultural significance. The data will be used for future conservation policies and integration into broader environmental planning frameworks.
The initiative comes amid growing concern over rapid urbanisation and habitat loss in the Gurgaon-Faridabad-Aravalli belt, where several green zones face pressure from infrastructure development and population expansion. Environmental studies have highlighted that these remaining forest patches, including sacred groves, play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance in the region.
Officials said that once identified, these groves may be considered for enhanced protection measures, depending on their ecological importance and community dependency. The government is also expected to consult local communities, as many of these groves are maintained through traditional belief systems and informal conservation practices passed down through generations.
Haryana has previously documented scattered sacred groves, particularly in western districts, but officials said the current drive is the first systematic attempt to compile a consolidated inventory across the state. A recent academic study had indicated that hundreds of such groves exist in Haryana, though many remain undocumented or lack formal recognition.
Conservation experts have welcomed the initiative, noting that sacred groves in the region act as critical biodiversity refuges, often containing native plant species and supporting bird and small mammal populations. In the Aravalli region near Gurugram, such forest patches also function as wildlife corridors and groundwater recharge zones.
Officials said the drive will also help in identifying groves that are under threat from encroachment, construction, or neglect, enabling targeted protection measures. In some areas of Gurugram, environmental groups have previously raised concerns about damage to sensitive forest patches due to infrastructure expansion.
The forest department is expected to complete the initial mapping phase in the coming months, after which a detailed report will be prepared for policy action. Authorities said the initiative aligns with broader efforts to strengthen green cover, protect indigenous ecosystems, and integrate traditional conservation practices into modern environmental governance.
Once completed, the database is expected to serve as a reference point for future land-use planning, conservation projects, and community-led environmental initiatives across Haryana.
