“Just as the Kumbh mela in Uttar Pradesh is sacred to Hindus, this is one of the most revered sites for Adivasis in Jharkhand,” said a protestor, standing a few feet away from the sacred grove at Siram Toli in Ranchi.

She was among those protesting against the construction of a flyover ramp near the Siram Toli sacred grove earlier this year.

Traditionally, every Adivasi village in Jharkhand had a patch of forested land on the outskirts, which the community conserved and used for various rituals and prayers. Known as sarna sthals, these sacred groves are symbols of the community’s deep ties with the environment. But they are fast disappearing under the pressure of rapid urbanisation.

We travelled to two such threatened sites and spoke to members of the Adivasi community about their connection to the sacred groves and how they are seeking to protect them.

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