111 trees for every girl child: SC lauds Rajasthan village’s initiative

The Supreme Court (SC) today lauded the environmental initiative of Piplantri village in Rajasthan, where 111 trees are planted for every girl child born. In its order, the court urged the Centre to formulate a comprehensive policy for the governance and management of sacred groves, which are community-protected forests that hold cultural and ecological value.

The court said that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) should develop a nationwide plan to survey sacred groves, identify their location, size and boundaries, to ensure strict protection against encroachment due to agricultural activities or human habitation. It emphasised that the boundaries should be flexible to accommodate natural growth, ensuring the preservation of these ecosystems.

The Bench, comprising Justice BR Gavai, Justice SVN Bhatti and Justice Sandeep Mehta, also highlighted the importance of protecting sacred groves under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, particularly through the provision of declaring "community reserves" under Section 36-C.

The court directed Rajasthan’s Forest Department to conduct detailed mapping, both on-ground and using satellite technology, of each sacred grove, including Orans, Dev-vans, and Rundhs, as they are locally known. It called for the completion of this survey in all districts, and recommended that these groves be classified as forests, as per the Central Empowered Committee's 2005 report.

The ruling came in response to a petition concerning the state of sacred groves in Rajasthan. The Court noted the importance of sustainable conservation and the need to empower communities historically involved in the protection of these groves. It further directed the Rajasthan Government to recognize these communities by designating sacred groves as "community forest resources" under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

In addition to the sacred groves initiative, the court praised the ‘Piplantri model’ of environmental conservation in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district. The movement began after the tragic death of a girl child and has since transformed the village’s environment, which was once devastated by marble mining. According to sources, the practice of planting 111 trees for every girl born has significantly improved the area’s water table, raised by 800–900 feet, and cooled the local climate by three to four degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the court also said the Piplantri initiative also contributed to gender equality, eliminating harmful practices like female foeticide. The village now boasts a higher female population ratio of 52%. The SC highlighted the potential for such models to bring about positive and lasting change.