The world unites on Friday to celebrate the International Day of Forests, a day dedicated to recognizing the vital role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. Forests are among the planet’s richest ecosystems, intricately linked to human civilization for millennia. Globally, over five billion people depend on forests and non-timber forest products for essentials like food, medicine, and livelihoods. Moreover, forested watersheds supply freshwater to more than 85% of the world’s major cities, underscoring their ecological significance. In India, however, forests transcend their role as mere ecosystems or habitats –they are woven into the cultural, spiritual, and historical fabric of the nation.
Sacred Forests of India and its Cultural Tapestry
Imagine a forest where cutting a tree is forbidden not by law, but by faith! In India, forests are more than natural landscapes; they are living repositories of the country’s heritage. With over one million sacred forests dotting the landscape, these groves are steeped in the traditions, stories, and identities of countless communities. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) aptly describes them as “secret wizards of conservation,” highlighting their dual role as ecological sanctuaries and cultural strongholds. These sacred forests are not managed through formal laws or written decrees but are preserved through the unwritten customs, beliefs, and taboos of the communities that revere them. In Meghalaya, the Mawphlang Sacred Grove, guarded by the Khasi tribe, forbids even the removal of a leaf, preserving both biodiversity and ancestral spirits.
The cultural significance of forests in India dates back to ancient times, as evidenced in the Vedas and Samhitas. The Aranyakas, or “forest works” (derived from the Sanskrit word Aranya, meaning forest), emphasize the deep connection between spirituality and nature. Epic tales like the Ramayana, which traces Lord Rama’s journey through the forest trails of Chitrakoot, and the Mahabharata, with its references to the Kamyakavana, further illustrate how forests have long been central to India’s narrative traditions. Beyond these texts, indigenous knowledge about forests has been passed down through generations via songs, folk-lores, and oral histories, keeping the bond between people and nature alive.
India’s tribal communities, such as the Gonds, Bhils, Santhals, Munda, Khasi, and Garasia, share an especially profound relationship with forests. For these groups, forests are not just sources of sustenance, providing food, shelter, and medicine but also sacred spaces integral to their cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. The Gond tribe, for instance, venerates the tribal deity Pashupati, while the story of Lord Jagannatha visiting the Sora tribe reflects the intertwining of mythology and forest life. These tales are more than folklore; they are part of India’s forest heritage, extending beyond the utilitarian gifts of timber and produce to embody a deeper, existential connection. The Santhals of Jharkhand perform annual rituals in their sacred Jaherthan groves, ensuring no hunting or logging occurs, a practice that has kept local wildlife thriving.
In sacred forests, conservation is not a modern imposition but an organic extension of community life. The essence of preservation is rooted in ethnic identity, where the forest is seen as a living entity deserving respect and protection. Customary laws, though rarely documented, are strictly enforced through cultural norms. It is taboo to pluck flowers, uproot plants, harm animals, or disturb religious objects within these groves. This unspoken code has ensured that sacred forests remain untouched, allowing communities to evolve alongside them for centuries.
Forests in Modern India: A Biodiversity Haven
Today, forests cover more than 25% of India’s land area, totaling approximately 827,357 square kilometers as per the 2023 India State of Forest Report. Maharashtra leads with 14,524.88 square kilometers of tree cover, while 40% of the country’s hilly districts and 67% of the northeastern states are forested. These forests are biodiversity hotspots, with four of the world’s 36 recognized hotspots located in India. The Western Ghats alone Harbour over 5,000 flowering plant species, around 130 mammals, more than 500 birds, and close to 180 amphibians, with at least 325 globally threatened species. The Himalayas support unique species like the snow leopard and red panda, alongside 15,000–25,000 vascular plants, 50% of which are endemic. The Indo-Burma region, spanning North-Eastern India, boasts over 5,000 flowering plants and iconic fauna like the Bengal tiger and Indian rhinoceros. Sundaland’s Nicobar Islands are home to 3,500 plant species, including 648 endemic ones, and rare reptiles like the saltwater crocodile.
A Legacy Worth Protecting
India’s forests are a global treasure, teeming with life and lessons in sustainable coexistence. The 2023 Forest Survey of India report notes a growing stock of 6,430 million cubic metres and a carbon stock of 7,285.5 million tons, emphasizing their role in climate regulation. As the world sees its industrial developments and climate change looms, these biodiverse havens face threats from deforestation and habitat loss. The traditional stewardship of tribal communities that is rooted in reverence rather than regulation offers a powerful counterpoint to modern conservation challenges.
As the world celebrates the International Day of Forests in 2025, India’s sacred forests stand as a testament to the synergy of culture and ecology. They are not relics but thriving ecosystems where biodiversity flourishes alongside human heritage. Protecting them preserves not just species like the 33% of India’s endemic plants or the 17% of the world’s tiger population they shelter but a timeless ethos of living in harmony with nature.
