ಬ್ಯಾನರ್ ಚಿತ್ರ: ಗೊಂಗ್ಚಿಯೋಲ್ ಜಿಯಾಂಗ್ (1960-2013, ಗಣರಾಜ್ಯ (ದಕ್ಷಿಣ) ಕೊರಿಯಾ), ಶಿಂಬಾಂಗ್ ಎಂದೂ ಕರೆಯಲ್ಪಡುವ ಜೆಜು ಷಾಮನ್. ಅವರು ನಾಟಕೀಯ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಚಳವಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದರು ಮತ್ತು ನಿಜವಾದ ಧೈರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಶಾಮನಾಗಿ ಬದುಕಿದರು (ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ) ಜನರನ್ನು ಪವಿತ್ರ ಭೂದೃಶ್ಯಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಂಪರ್ಕಿಸಲು. (ಫೋಟೋ: ಬಾಸ್ Verschuuren 2012)

After last year’s preparatory work we are now pleased to introduce a special project page to keep focus on Asian sacred natural sites.

The aim of the work presented under the project is improving recognition and conservation of sacred natural sites in Asia. This is a collaborative effort between the Sacred Natural Sites Initiative, ದಿ ಜೀವವೈವಿಧ್ಯ ಜಾಲ ಜಪಾನ್ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂರಕ್ಷಿತ ರಂದು ಐಯುಸಿಎನ್ ವರ್ಲ್ಡ್ ಕಮೀಶನ್ ಏರಿಯಾಸ್-ಜಪಾನ್.

Because sacred natural sites are key features in Asian landscapes they can be though of as having supported an indigenous Asian philosophy of conservation around community-based protected areas and natural resource conservation.

Therefore the project aims to develop the understanding, recognition and capacity to support sacred natural sites by protected area managers and conservation practitioners in the form of an informal network of experts and practitioners that includes protected area managers and conservation practitioners.

The network took flight at a successful first Asian Parks Congress in November 2013 were many participated in the special sessions about sacred natural sites.

The network in a way is also an offshoot of the popular ‘IUCN UNESCO Sacred Natural Sites, Guidelines for Protected Area managers’ that had been translated into Korean and Japanese. Realizing that improved conservation tools would be required to help unpack the full potential of sacred natural sites within the context of nature conservation the network is now focusing on producing a series of Asia specific case studies.

Whilst focusing on the translation and application of the IUCN UNESCO Guidelines, most case studies express a broader need to share lessons learned with the wider protected areas community. Have a look here to browse case studies form Asia (set the filter on top of the page to ‘Asia’) and compare them with those in other regions . The World Parks Congress to be held in November 2014 in Sidney Australia will therefore be an important happening for exchange, presentation and further inspiration for participants in the project on Asian sacred natural sites.

Have a look at the project page, stay tuned for updates and feel free to contact us at info@sacrednaturalsites.org in case you would like to be included on the network email list serve or in case you have other thoughts to share with us.