Rooted in Reverence: Preserving Culture and Heritage in Mangar Bani and Sarna Toli Sacred Groves

Abstract

Sacred groves, which have long been considered ecological and spiritual refuges, reflect the link between nature, culture, and belief systems. This research examines cultural integration and heritage conservation in two ecologically and culturally important sacred groves in India—Mangar Bani of Haryana and Sarna Toli of Odisha. Both are exemplary models of Indigenous stewardship, where cultural taboos, rituals, and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) are involved in conserving biodiversity and shaping identity. Mangar Bani, a part of the folklore of Gudariya Baba, is a cultural stronghold in the face of urbanization, where values of heritage are preserved through shared memory and ritual practice. In contrast, Sarna Toli, based on the tribal practices of the Munda and Oraon communities, is a living heritage within the Sarhul and Karma festivals that reinforce the human-nature relationship and ancestral worship. The paper throws light on how local populations—tribal and non-tribal—involve a multitude of cultural stories to conserve these groves in the face of mounting socio-economic pressures, land-use transformation, and developmental incursions. The paper stresses the central role of intergenerational transmission, spiritual faith, and locally driven governance in their maintenance. Through comparative ethnographic observations, the article highlights the cultural integration process, rather than assimilation, as a dynamic, synergistic mechanism that enhances plural heritage as well as environmental values. Conservation of such sacred groves is not merely essential for ecological integrity but also for protecting intangible heritage and promoting inclusive identity accounts. The research demands policy systems acknowledging sacred groves as cultural commons and participatory conservation approaches that honour Indigenous rights and collective culture.