India, March 21 -- Village residents oppose declaring traditional pastoral land as deemed forests, fearing loss of access and livelihood

A recent state government notification has sparked fear among community dwellers in western Rajasthan, who are concerned about potential loss of access to forest produce and livelihood. The community is apprehensive about the state's proposal to recognise orans (sacred groves) as deemed forests. The government notification on February 1, 2024 declares that, in compliance with directives from the Supreme Court (SC), orans , dev vans (sacred forests) and runds (traditionally conserved open forests) will be categorised as deemed forests. The notification also invites objections and issues to be raised by l...