Developing sacred forests into biodiversity heritage sites-experiences from the state of Uttarakhand, Central Himalaya, India

The provision of declaring Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) in the National Biodiversity Act 2002 provides an opportunity to give recognition to the community initiatives vis-a-vis the institution of the sacred natural sites (SNS). In brief, the salient feature of the Biodiversity Act 2002, as relates to the BHS, is that the state government in consultation with the local bodies may notify in official gazette, biodiversity rich areas, including the SNS as BHS. Subsequently, under sub-section (2) of section 37, the state government in consultation with the Central government may frame rules for the management and conservation of BHS. As per the guidelines framed by the National Biodiversity Authority of India (NBAI), Chennai, for the selection of the sacred natural sites as BHS, and for the constitution of Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) to manage the BHS, 13 sacred forests across eight hill districts of Uttarakhand were selected. The present paper in brief, attempts to bring forth the salient features of the sacred sites as relates to the precise status of the taboo system or the traditional norms governing the resource utilization, the floral diversity, ecosystem services provided, importance in terms of refuge for wild endangered species of fauna, eco-tourism potential, and else. The paper in addition incorporates the experiences gained in the constitution of BMC, and ends with recommendations as to how to proceed with the establishment of the biodiversity heritage sites vis-a-vis sacred forests.