Traditional Environmental Governance and Sacred Grooves: A Case Study of the Law Lyngdoh Nonglait Sacred Forest in Meghalaya

Sacred or protected groves are virgin forest areas that hold significant cultural and spiritual value for local communities. Globally, these groves have been preserved for various reasons, including religious practices, burial grounds, and watershed conservation. Such practices have led to the protection of rich biodiversity within these forests. Sacred groves exemplify a long -standing tradition of environmental conservation rooted in indigenous knowledge and cultural practices. These groves often house numerous endemic, endangered, and rare species, maintaining the ecological balance and serving as a natural biodiversity reservoir. Local communities have historically conserved these groves, believing that disturbing them would offend deities and bring misfortune. This symbiotic relationship between humans and nature highlights the groves importance as a cultural, religious, and environmental heritage.