Degradation of Religious Belief and taboos – causes and impacts. Religious Belief and sacred grove conservation. Role of Religious Belief and taboos in conservation of natural forest. Religious Belief and taboos are the constructive tools for conserving the natural forest patches.
Natural forest patches in the different regions indicated that the erosion of religious beliefs and taboos are influencing the traditional communities to discard the community-oriented protection to these groves and they are now being exploited.
Introduction
Religious Belief and taboos are the constructive tools for conserving the natural forest patches (Sacred Groves) and erosion of belief and taboos has led to deterioration of natural forest patches(Sacred Groves). It has been seen that religious beliefs and taboos that were central to the protection of sacred groves are being eroded over the years due to various reasons and thus the present status of sacred groves is rather precarious. Natural forest patches in the different regions indicated that the erosion of religious beliefs and taboos are influencing the traditional communities to discard the community-oriented protection to these groves and they are now being exploited. Natural forest patches located in Shekhala village of Rajasthan are becoming degraded due to change in peoples’ attitude towards conservation of biodiversity. Traditional ways of resource management are becoming nonfunctional due to direct conflict between ever increasing human population and limited natural resources.
It is amply clear that myths and beliefs associated with the sacred groves which used to be followed strictly in earlier days, have been eroded during the last few decades and the groves no longer enjoy the same status and privilege as they used to in the past. It has been found that cultural changes among the young people are so rapid that they no longer believe in the methods their ancestors followed to maintain the fragile ecosystem. This is a global tragedy, because “with the disappearance of each indigenous group, the world loses an accumulated wealth of millennia of human experience and adaptation. Moreover, the advent of Hinduism during the reign of kings also contributed to the erosion of traditional beliefs of the Meitei’s. On the other hand, the influence of Christianity added a new dimension in religion and culture which also acted as an important factor in causing the degradation of natural forest patches. One unfortunate factor that hinders the conservation of sacred grove is that the village people living near the sacred groves are poor and less educated.
prabhat says
July 17, 2015 at 8:28 pmSir very reasonable analysis. However, I do not view that poor and less education is the reason as I have seen in Jharkhand that cutting of Mahua, bad, peepal Trees are not allowed by same poor people
Vijay Choudhary says
July 18, 2015 at 6:07 amDear sir,
Biodiversity is essential for our existence on Earth. It provides us the air to breathe, the water to drink, and the food to eat. Sacred groves are the ideal center for biodiversity conservation.
Village people living near the sacred groves, In Past, they do not harm sacred groves mainly because of socio-religious traditions and fear of the deity, believing that who harm sacred grove may be harmed by the presiding deity.
At present, they utilized the groves as a source of forage and firewood. They also use the medicinal plants for sale in market. Because….
• Lack of religious beliefs
• Forgot traditions
• Less educated – they are less educated about the importance of these places (sacred groves), biodiversity conservation, and forest protection laws.
• Poor people living near the sacred groves, they utilized the groves as a source of forage for livestock and firewood. Because, it’s a easy and free source.
Message – Conserve Nature to Save Future and Please love the nature and wildlife