Rajasthan Notifies Orans as Deemed Forests: A Step Towards Conservation
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court Directive | Asked Rajasthan to identify and survey sacred groves (Orans, De-Vans, Rundhs) as forest land. |
| Rajasthan Government Action | Notified Orans as "deemed forests". |
| Importance of Orans | Vital part of community life in Rajasthan, traditionally sacred and managed by communities. |
| Uses of Orans | Grazing for livestock, social events, festivals, and habitat for Great Indian Bustard (GIB). |
| Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980 | Required Centre's approval for converting forest to non-forest land. |
| Amended FCA | State governments can now clear deemed, unclassed, and private forests. |
| Supreme Court's Interim Order | Emphasized protection of deemed forests as per the 1996 Godavarman case. |
| Orans Features | Include indigenous trees like Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) and Rohida (Tecomella undulata). |