scholarly journals Drivers of Biodiversity Conservation in Sacred Groves: A Comparative Study of Three Sacred Groves in Southwest Nigeria.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Adeyanju ◽  
Janette Bulkan ◽  
Jonathan Onyekwelu ◽  
Guillaume Peterson St-Laurent ◽  
Robert Kozak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Local Community ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Sacred Grove ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
Southwest Nigeria ◽  
Traditional Norms

Globally, sacred groves represent a traditional form of community-based conservation system, recognized for their capacity to preserve areas that are of cultural and religious importance to local people. In most cases, the entire community takes on a watchdog role to guard against encroachment and unauthorized access either by its members or outsiders who might desecrate such sites. Our paper investigates the effects of different governance arrangements on three sacred groves in southwest Nigeria⎯Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove (UNESCO World Heritage Site); Idanre Hills (Nigerian National Monument) and Igbo-Olodumare (local cultural site)⎯on their socio-economic and religio-cultural benefits and contribution to biodiversity conservation. Using a mixed-methods design of a semi-structured questionnaire (n=167), key informant interviews (n=2), and focus groups (n=7), we collected data from local community members, traditional priests, sacred grove devotees and tourism officials. We found that customary institutions have guided reverence for sacralized spaces and wise utilization of their unique resources. The growing recognition of sacred groves has paved the way for socioeconomic rewards for individuals and government as cultural tourism increases. We found that the involvement of formal institutions alongside customary institutions in sacred grove management reinforces compliance with conservation laws within the sacred groves, especially where traditional norms are weak or may be disregarded. We discuss the implications of these observations and offer suggestions to improve community engagement, uphold traditional ecological knowledge, and develop ecotourism within the groves. We conclude that the co-existence of community-based conservation through a system of established traditional norms and prohibitions as well as formal government legislation and management, offers assurance for the long-term preservation of sacred groves and their biodiversity.

scholarly journals Chitral Gol National Park; A paradise or threat for biodiversity conservation and socio-economic conditions of local societies

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 121-129
Author(s):  
Wang Jun ◽  
◽  
Muhammad Noman ◽  
Sajid Ullah ◽  
Kokab Saba Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Education ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
National Park ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
Park Area ◽  
Management And Conservation

The current study was conducted to investigate the Chitral Gol National Park, as a bliss or risk for biodiversity safeguarding and socio-economic situations of regional people in the park region. The Chitral Gol National Park indicates a vital part in the improvement of the socio-economic situation and also in the management of the biodiversity in park area. The key aim of the park area is generally to enhance the societies’ link in the park area for its better management and conservation through community-based conservation. For this aim, 160 open ended questionnaires were equally distributed and collected in the park area. Results revealed that the local public much satisfied from the park area. 11 villages openly profited from the park area in case of cash, employments and wood fuel etc. The local public greatly concerned in the management of park area. The ecological profits from park were reported well. The administration maintenance was noble in the park area and show energetic role in the management of plantation, flora cover, fauna species etc. Public education and awareness about park areas via education, workshops, seminars, walk campaign, and local government must take obligatory stages for their safeguard and management. Keywords: Chitral Gol National Park, Local Community, Biodiversity Conservation, Socio-economic Conditions, Protected areas

Corticolous Lichen Species Diversity on Dominant Trees in Selected Sacred Groves of Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 447-464
Author(s):  
U. K. Sen ◽  
R. K. Bhakat
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Growth Forms ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Shorea Robusta ◽  
Lichen Diversity ◽  
Community Based Conservation

Sacred groves are the fairly well-protected system of community-based conservation of tree patches on account of their association with village gods, and repository of many rare and threatened elements of biodiversity. There are, however, few publications on lichens of sacred groves. The lichens have long been regarded as sensitive indicators for monitoring environmental state. The present study reports one hundred and sixteen species of lichens from forty-four genera of nineteen families in four selected sacred groves of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. These lichens represent two different growth forms, i.e. crustose (105 species) and foliose (11 species). Shorea robusta, a dominant tree species in two sacred groves bears the highest lichen diversity with seventy-four species. To better understand the related biodiversity and climate, this work is likely to promote further studies on lichen diversity in other regions of West Bengal.

Between Global Interests and Local Needs: Conservation and Land Reform in Namaqualand, South Africa

Africa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tor A. Benjaminsen ◽  
Thembela Kepe ◽  
Stine Bråthen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Land Redistribution ◽  
Local Livelihoods ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
Policy Shift ◽  
The Creation

This article presents the case of the creation and expansion of Namaqua National Park in Namaqualand, South Africa, to highlight the contradictions between global interests in biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods. Despite the policy shift in the conservation literature from ‘fortress’ to community-based conservation, we argue that in practice conservation still tends to dominate when there is a trade-off between Western-style conservation and support to the livelihoods of marginalized communities. This can again be explained by the hegemony of a conservation discourse that is shared by a network of actors. The article highlights the role played by powerful environmental organizations and wealthy individuals supporting conservation at the expense of land redistribution in Namaqualand. The combination of scientific research and finances provided by this actor-network aided the creation and expansion of the Park. Local people, however, see the expansion of the Park as direct and unfair competition for land that they wish to acquire through the land redistribution programme, as well as an indirect challenge to their local livelihoods. Whatever the merits of their case, it seems clear that communities aspiring to more land, together with advocates of human rights and poverty alleviation, remain on the margins in terms of policy influence, especially when they pursue goals that are perceived by the conservation advocates to be in conflict with those of biodiversity conservation.

scholarly journals COMMUNITY BASED URBAN AREA CONSERVATION LESSONS FROM PAKISTAN

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 26-33
Author(s):  
Shabnam Nigar Mumtaz
Keyword(s):  
Urban Area ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Heritage Conservation ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Project Design ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Conservation Project ◽  
Urban Heritage ◽  
Community Based Conservation

Pakistan has a treasure of historic cores as part of various cities that date back to Pre-Mughal, Mughal and post Mughal periods. Even those that were developed during the 19th century British rule have areas that are valuable as representative of a shared heritage with colonies of Britain. Since many historic cores have become part of the cities, these historic cores are seriously threatened. Unesco World Heritage List includes many major historical monuments and sites of Pakistan but it is yet to list any historical town in Pakistan .The local legislation also does not list any historical town. In spite of their value most historical areas are deteriorated and many parts of this significant heritage have been lost over the years. Community based conservation promotes the idea that the key to success of long term conservation lies in community engagement bringing the benefits of historical conservation to the local community. However, although community based conservation is practiced commonly world wide, it is not always successful. This paper tries to answer the following questions: 1. Is community based conservation an effective tool in Pakistan for conservation of urban areas? 2. What are the factors that contribute to the success or failure of such conservation exercises? 3. What part does a project design and local community character play in the success or failure of an urban conservation project. A multi sited case study method has been used to conservation project both similarities and differences related to review heritage conservation. Each site has been analysed for its unique local context and each project has been reviewed different project design which speaks about the multi layered challenges of heritage conservation. The three cases presented here offer valuable lessons for the design and implementation of area conservation programs in Pakistan. One lesson is the need to put all values embedded in urban heritage into play, as they are the drivers that mobilize a diverse set of stakeholders. These values include socio cultural and social justice, historic, artistic, educational and economic factors that can mobilize community, Government, Elite, Philanthropist and Entrepreneurs. The premise of analysis here is that the more the variety of values the more sustainable the conservation. The methodology used is literature review from secondary sources i.e. books, articles, academic papers and discussions with colleagues. The conclusion points towards the fact that In Pakistan community based conservation may not be the only solution to area conservation because only few groups can value it, like academia, groups from civil society and some government departments and communities at large need more motivation and awareness to become the major participant of urban area conservation exercises. The role of elite and private sector is also very insignificant. Any external agency can help only in advisory and financial capacity, but means to generate funds locally should be there. The status of urban area conservation is described by an academic conservationist Prof. Dr. Anila Naeem form the Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University o Engineering and Technology in 2009 as follows: “In Pakistan urban area conservation is not an established professional field and designation of historic centers is altogether a very new idea. Thus, conserving urban heritage areas may take many shapes and meanings and conservation of urban areas is more complex than conservation of individual buildings or archaeological remains. Keywords: Urban area conservation, community, Pakistan, heritage, historic cores.

scholarly journals Community-based Bamboo Stands Management in the Kali Bekasi Watershed, Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Ni Wayan Febriana Utami ◽  
Hadi Susilo Arifin ◽  
HSA Nurhayati ◽  
Syartinilia Wijaya
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Local Ecological Knowledge ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Tree Species Diversity ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Downstream Area

A high rate of vegetation clearing around the upper stream of Kali Bekasi watershed currently causes various environmental problems, such as floods. The impacts occur predominantly in downstream area, mostly affecting cities, due to a disruption of the ecosystem in the upper stream. The main function of the upper stream to humans is acting as a buffer to protect downstream areas from flooding, run-off, as well as biodiversity protection. To achieve this, many varieties of plant are grown including bamboo plantations, which serve as a buffer plants on critical land especially with steep contours. In this study we aim to provide a better understanding of the effectiveness of different bamboo stands buffering to improve information for making management recommendation. We examine different points along the stream by mapping bamboo distribution, analyzing bamboo and non-bamboo (tree) stands diversity and biomass, and provide recommendations for bamboo management based on combining our findings with local ecological knowledge. We implemented image classification analysis for classifying bamboo and non-bamboo land use cover. We also measured bamboo and non-bamboo diversity by using Shannon’s-Wienner diversity index. Our results showed that bamboo occupies approximately 5,360.89 ha or 11.39% of total area with six bamboo species. The highest bamboo diversity index was in the upper part of the Kali Bekasi watershed (0.62). In contrary, the highest bamboo biomass index was found in the lower part of the upper stream of Kali Bekasi watershed (98.96 ton ha-1). We also discovered about 29 species of tree (230 trees) and 27 above-ground plant species in the surveyed area. As a result of our findings, we propose a shift towards bamboo agroforestry management in a mixed garden of talun form, where the community implement their local knowledge on bamboo cultivation and management to maintain the bamboo. This option could improve cooperation among farmers and the local community in order to conserve bamboo and tree species diversity in harmony to local wisdom.

scholarly journals Strangers in the Sacred Grove: The Changing Meanings of Okinawan Utaki

Religions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 298
Author(s):  
Aike P. Rots
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Heritage Conservation ◽  
Sacred Grove ◽  
Spiritual Power ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
Potential Significance ◽  
Southeastern Part ◽  
Mass Tourism ◽  
New Meanings

This article discusses the changing significance of sacred groves (utaki) in contemporary Okinawa. Until recently, utaki were the domain of female ritual practitioners (kaminchu or noro), and men were not allowed to set foot in them. In many places, such taboos have faded away, if not disappeared altogether, and utaki have acquired new meanings in the context of mass tourism, heritage conservation, and environmental degradation. Although there are several studies of the ritual system of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429–1879), little research has been conducted on the postwar and contemporary significance of utaki. This article begins by describing the current situation, using examples from the southeastern part of the island. It then identifies three main issues for the study of sacred groves in Okinawa today: the claim, made by leading Japanese scholars, that these are sites of primordial “nature worship”, supposedly similar to ancient Shinto; the recent popularization of utaki as sites of spiritual power, so-called “powerspots”, among tourists; and, finally, the emerging realization of their potential significance for biodiversity conservation.

scholarly journals Conventional and Indigenous Biodiversity Conservation Approach: A Comparative Study of Jachie Sacred Grove and Nkrabea Forest Reserve

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Samuel Boadi ◽  
Collins Ayine Nsor ◽  
Daniel Haruna Yakubu ◽  
Emmanuel Acquah ◽  
Osei Owusu Antobre
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Sacred Grove ◽  
Insect Diversity ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Traditional Authorities

Conventional managed forests and sacred groves are seldom assessed to determine their effectiveness in biodiversity conservation strategies. This study investigated tree and insect diversity in Jachie sacred grove (JSG) and Nkrabea forest reserve (NFR) in Ashanti region, Ghana. The study area constituted eight plots of 50 × 50 m along two 300 m long transects. Insects were sampled in eight pitfall traps, diagonally between the transects. Out of 150 individuals, 13 species in NFR and 15 species from JSG were registered.Celtis mildbraediiwas the most dominant species in NFR = 43.18% and JSG = 23.58%. Mean DBH showed a significant relationship with basal area in NFR and JSG. Tree diversity and richness were higher in JSG (H′= 1.43–2.3 ± 0.10;D= 1.8–3.69 ± 0.30) compared to NFR (H′= 0.86–1.56 ± 0.09;D= 1.1–2.3 ± 0.57). However, insect diversity was higher in NFR (H′= 1.34 ± 0.10) than in JSG (H′= 0.5 ± 0.005).Camponotus furvusandPachycondyla tarsatawere most abundant in JSG and NFR, respectively. These findings will help conservationists work closely with traditional authorities in protecting sacred groves as key biodiversity hotspots.

scholarly journals The place of community values within community-based conservation: The case of Driftsands Nature Reserve, Cape Town

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (40) ◽  
pp. 101-112
Author(s):  
Shelley Kotze
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Values ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

AbstractContemporary approaches to biodiversity conservation within South Africa depart from community-based initiatives which seek to combine biodiversity conservation with socio-economic development. This paper employs a grounded theory approach to discuss the values of local communities and the management body (CapeNature), with regards to Driftsands Nature Reserve, Cape Town, by way of exploring the ways in which community-based conservation is being achieved within this case study. The findings conclude that the support and environmental education provided by CapeNature is going some way to addressing the needs of community-based conservation. Although the geographical location and demographics of the area produce a number of challenges for this approach, this research outlines the pathways for these challenges to be turned into benefits through even greater involvement with community-based conservation.

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