The Supreme Court praised Piplantri village in Rajasthan for its innovative initiative of planting trees for every new-born girl, referencing the Bhagavad Gita in its praise. This program, which emphasizes women’s empowerment, promotes both environmental sustainability and gender equality. The Court highlighted how this effort reflects values of nature and respect for life, highlighting the thoughtful impact of community-led actions in driving social and ecological progress.
New Delhi: In a landmark judgment that highlights the deep connection between cultural heritage and ecological conservation, the Supreme Court of India praised Rajasthan’s Piplantri Village Initiative.
This initiative emerged as a model for sustainable development, environmental restoration, and gender equality. Citing a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, the Court highlighted.
The judgment, issued by a bench consisting of Justices B.R. Gavai, S.V.N. Bhatti, and Sandeep Mehta, stemmed from an interlocutory application, in a case T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India case (W.P. (Civil) No. 202 of 1995) which has been crucial in shaping India’s environmental jurisprudence.
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The Supreme Court highlighted the transformative initiative from Piplantri village, where 111 trees are planted for every new-born girl. This community-led effort integrates environmental conservation with social reforms, tackling issues such as female infanticide and economic inequality. Over the years, the Piplantri initiative has resulted in the planting of over 4 million trees, enhancing the local water table, boosting biodiversity, and creating sustainable livelihoods through agroforestry and related industries.
The Court noted that the Piplantri model exemplifies how community-driven efforts can harmonize cultural values with environmental sustainability, promoting comprehensive development.
The application aimed to identify and recognize Rajasthan’s sacred groves, known as Orans, as “forests” under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, to prevent their degradation and ensure protection. Rajasthan is home to more than 25,000 Orans, which serve as ecological sanctuaries and hold significant cultural importance for local communities. These groves are vital for biodiversity conservation, groundwater recharge, and climate resilience in the state’s arid regions.
In its judgment, the Court referenced the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 13, Verse 20), intertwining spiritual philosophy with ecological responsibility to highlight the sacred duty of protecting nature.
Key Directives and Observations
- Protection of Sacred Groves (Orans): The Court directed the Rajasthan government to classify Orans as forests under the FC Act, irrespective of their size, emphasizing their cultural and ecological importance.
- Role of Communities: The Court stressed the necessity of local community involvement in conserving these sacred groves, noting the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, which recognizes community rights over forest resources.
- Implementation of Piplantri-like Models: The Court encouraged the government to replicate community-driven initiatives similar to Piplantri across India, directing the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to develop supportive policies for such programs.
- International Commitments: The Court reminded the government of its obligations under international agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which promote the protection of traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices.
Applicant represented by Advocate Aman Singh, who emphasized the ecological and cultural significance of the Orans.
Respondents The Union of India and the Rajasthan Government were represented by Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma, who provided updates on ongoing conservation efforts.
The Court ordered the establishment of a committee headed by a retired High Court Judge to oversee the classification and protection of sacred groves. It also instructed the Rajasthan government to conduct both ground and satellite mapping of the Orans and to submit a compliance report by January 10, 2025.
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