IUCN and UNESCO Guidelines on sacred natural sites in protected areas
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Thousands of sacred natural sites are in jeopardy around the world despite the fact that many lie within formal Protected Areas.
IUCN and UNESCO launch the latest in the Best Practice Guidelines Series on Protected Area management. The new guidelines are called Sacred Natural Sites – Guidelines for Protected Area Managers. The 100-page volume focuses on improving protection of sacred natural sites within and near Protected Areas.
This work of the CSVPA and in particular that of the editors, Robert Wild and Toby McLeod has assisted IUCN in becoming a key player in the effort to protect sacred sites and holy lands of the planet. Matching the ongoing efforts of Gonzalo Oviedo the publication supports the integration of cultural and spiritual values at the policy level. IUCN and CSVPA advocate for their recognition and support and promote better understanding of protected areas values.
The new publication includes 44 guidelines and 16 case studies from around the world. While focusing primarily on the sacred places of indigenous communities, the guidelines are also relevant for the sacred sites of mainstream faiths.
Around the world there is growing interest in, and recognition of the importance of, sacred natural sites as critical elements to both biological and cultural preservation, especially in light of the accelerating loss of biocultural diversity as an unintended by-product of globalization. These new Guidelines summarize experience to date in recognizing, planning and managing sacred natural sites in a variety of Protected Areas. The Guidelines will be used to share experience with protected area managers and their colleagues around the world who are concerned about and interested in protecting sacred natural sites.
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