The Conflict between Preserving a ‘Sacred Natural Site’ and Exploiting Nature for Commercial Gain: Evidence from Phiphidi Waterfall in South Africa

Over the years, the Phiphidi sacred natural site has been protected by traditional methods or cultural codes. However, over the past three decades, anthropogenic pressures have affected the site. This study aimed to investigate the historical uses of the Phiphidi sacred natural site and contemporary anthropogenic threats to the area, and the implications on the sustainability of the area. The data supporting this study were collected between June 2018 and May 2021, during which (i) interviews, (ii) observations and (iii) documents were used as the main techniques of data collection. Non-probabilistic purposive (also known as judgemental) sampling was used to select respondents including the custodians of the Phiphidi sacred natural site, officials working at Phiphidi Waterfall, representatives of the Dzomo La Mupo committee and local communities. The data obtained from interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. Field observations helped in validating the data that were collected through interviews. The study showed that although the sacred site was historically a ‘no go area’ and was used to connect with ancestors and perform rituals, contemporary anthropogenic threats affecting the Phiphidi sacred site include weak property right systems and tourism infrastructure development that has led to land-use conflicts that have been driven by vested interests. The contemporary practices not only undermine the Vhavenda culture but also have negative implications for the biodiversity of the area. In addition, the current practices undermine the founding principles of the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa; these embrace culture, religion and the country’s environmental laws. While passion to save the sacred sites by custodians and local communities is still alive, government support is weak and, as a result, there are fears that other sacred sites in the region may also be targeted for tourism purposes. Several suggestions are made that, if implemented, could help to protect the remaining sacred natural sites.

Natural risks and monitoring systems: Case study of the mining-industrial heritage objects of Karelia (Ruskeala Mining Park), Russia

Mine workings (open and underground) abandoned during the production process become part of the environment. These objects begin to degrade in accordance with ordinary processes occurring in nature. However, such developments are often of historical value and therefore become tourist sites. They pose a serious threat to the health and life of people visiting these tourist sites, if such workings were not initially processed to safe conditions. The paper considers an example of such an object - a marble quarry with elements of underground caves - the Ruskeala marble deposit, located in Karelia. In the middle of the XX century, it was abandoned, today the "Main" quarry is a monument of the historical and cultural (mining-industrial) heritage of the Republic of Karelia. Ruskeala Mining Park has collected all the risks of degradation inherent in such a natural site. The paper has proposed solutions for monitoring the sustainability of underground objects used as museum exhibits to ensure the safety of tourists visiting them.

MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL STUDY OF SWIM BLADDER IN PRE TO POST FLEXION STAGES LARVAE OF HIMALAYAN SNOW TROUT SCHIZOTHORAX PLAGIOSTOMUS (HECKEL) REARED IN ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL CONDITIONS

Present study deals with histology, gross morphology of the larvae and its behavioural aspects to describe the progression of the development of swim bladder in pre to post flexion stages larvae of the Himalayan Snow Trout Schizothorax plagiostomus (Heckel) reared in laboratory as well as in natural site. It reveals a very significant information in respect to derivation, tissue differentiation, initial inflation as well as factors responsible for noninflation of swim bladder especially among laboratory reared larvae. At hatching (108-110 and 124-130 hours after fertilization in laboratory and natural site respectively), larvae measured 9.00 mm and 10.5 mm in laboratory and natural site respectively, and their body cavity was mostly occupied with a huge amount of yolk. The mouth, pharynx and esophagus were impervious till 3rd day post hatching (dph). Primordial swim bladder appeared on 3rd.dph as a cluster of mesenchymal cells evaginating from the posterior dorsal surface of the differentiating esophagus. Later on it grows toward the caudal direction below the differentiating vertebral column and kidney. Initial swim bladder inflation occurred by 6-dph when larvae attained 12.50–13.50 mm length, with the onset of first exogenous feeding. During this phase a mucous like substance was also observed in the pneumatic duct as well as lumen of swim bladder of some laboratory reared larvae and later on they got mortality. By 8-dph well differentiated and inflated swim bladder becomes externally visible and pneumatic duct extended to join the dorsal wall of esophagus. A number of biotic and abiotic factors were found associated with preventing swim bladder inflation during Pre flexion to Post flexion stages.

Topsoil Transfer from Natural Renosterveld to Degraded Old Fields Facilitates Native Vegetation Recovery

The transfer of soils from intact vegetation communities to degraded ecosystems is seen as a promising restoration tool aimed at facilitating vegetation recovery. This study examined how topsoil transfer from intact renosterveld to degraded old fields improves vegetation diversity, cover, and composition. Transferred topsoil were overlaid on 30 quadrats, each measuring 1 m2, in May 2009. Eight years following the initial soil transfer, vegetation diversity in the soil transfer site showed an increase towards the natural site compared to the old field site where no soil transfer was administered. Both species richness and cover for trees and shrubs in the soil transfer site increased towards the natural site, though this was not the case for herbs and grasses. One-way analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed significant (R = 0.55) separation in community composition between sites. The study concludes that soil transfer from intact renosterveld to degraded old fields is a promising restoration technique because it increases species diversity and cover and facilitates vegetation recovery. A significant restoration implication of this study is that soil transfer introduces key renosterveld native tree and shrub species that can facilitate successful restoration and act as restoration foci or nurse plants.

Environmentally Sustainable and Socioeconomically Responsible Management of Natural Resources in the Ecosystem of Olkhon Island

The authors consider the main problems of Olkhon Island ecosystem caused by anthropogenic activities and fast developing tourism. They suggest possible solutions of these problems in order to conserve and develop the microecological system of the island as part of the integral ecosystem of lake Baikal. Both systems are interconnected as any natural system develops due to the environment and, in its turn, influences it. Olkhon Island is a part of the central ecological area of Baikal natural territory and is a natural site of the UNESCO World Heritage «Lake Baikal». The main kinds of economic activities of the local population are cattle breeding and agriculture with the use of artificial irrigation. A lack of proper infrastructure, irresponsible exploitation of natural resources, a consumers attitude towards the unique natural site, frequent ignoring of the emerging problems by the authorities and also the attempts of business entities to expand their recreational activities on the territory of the island damage its ecosystem bringing it to the critical state and depriving people of the due quality of life at present and in the future. The authors proved it necessary to evaluate the population carrying capacity of the island area, to define the boundaries of stability of its ecosystem and to substantiate scientifically the optimal recreation capacity of this area. They suggest that the boundaries of the areas of traditional agriculture, recreational use and conservation areas should be set legislatively. In these areas, mans interference with nature should be prohibited in order to prevent irreversible consumption and loss of natural resources.