Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Nature in Protected Areas Governance, Management and Policy

Cultural and spiritual bonds with ‘nature’ are among the strongest motivators for nature conservation; yet they are seldom taken into account in the governance and management of protected and conserved areas. The starting point of this book is that to be sustainable, effective and equitable, approaches to the management and governance of these areas need to engage with people’s deeply held cultural, spiritual, personal and community values, alongside inspiring action to conserve biological, geological and cultural diversity. Since protected area management and governance have traditionally been based on scientific research, a combination of science and spirituality can engage and empower a variety of stakeholders from different cultural and religious backgrounds. As evidenced in this volume stakeholders range from indigenous peoples and local communities, to those following mainstream religion and those representing the wider public. The authors argue that the scope of protected area management and governance needs to be extended to acknowledge the rights, responsibilities, obligations and aspirations of stakeholder groups, and recognise the cultural and spiritual significance that ‘nature’ holds. The book also has direct practical applications. These follow the IUCN Best Practice Guidelines for protected and conserved area managers and present a wide range of case studies from around the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas.