The sacred groves of Goa, protected for centuries by the locals, have got a formal recognition in the draft Forest Policy of the State.
The new policy envisages forest department helping the local institutions in managing these sacred groves. The groves are found in the talukas of Sattari and Sanguem on the foothills of Western Ghats.
“Goa has a rich tradition of maintaining the sacred groves, mainly because of beliefs and traditions attached with these places. These need to be documented and protected,” the draft policy reads.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Mr Shashi Kumar, told PTI that under the new policy, the forest department would help the local institutions manage these spaces rich in medicinal plants and other trees. The forest department would not take over them, though, he added.