పవిత్రమైన సహజ సైట్లు ఇనిషియేటివ్ క్రమం తప్పకుండా ఆపద్ధర్మ "పరిరక్షణ అనుభవాలు" పాటలు, రక్షిత ప్రాంతం నిర్వాహకులు, శాస్త్రవేత్తలు మరియు ఇతరుల. ఈ పోస్ట్ మిస్టర్ అనుభవాలు కలిగి. ప్రస్తుతం ది సెంట్రల్ ఆఫ్రికన్ ప్రొటెక్టెడ్ ఏరియాస్ నెట్‌వర్క్‌తో కలిసి పనిచేస్తున్న సెబాస్టియన్ లూక్ కామ్‌గా-కామ్‌డెమ్ పిహెచ్‌డి (రాపాక్). సెబాస్టియన్ బాండ్‌జౌన్‌లోని పవిత్రమైన సహజ సైట్లలో పనిచేస్తున్నారు, West Cameroon and has identified the need for cultural as well as biological restoration methods for these special places. Click here to read the full case study on “బ్యాండ్‌జౌన్‌లో పవిత్ర సైట్లు, వెస్ట్ కామెరూన్“.

In the Bandjoun territory in the West of Cameroon lie various sites perceived as sacred by the local people. They are the core remnants of sites that were historically a lot more extensive representing the identity of tribes and communities in the region such as family shrines and community gathering places. The shared function of most sites is worship of the gods. Even though the ecology of these sacred natural sites has received little attention to date, they are known to harbour animals and plants which have largely disappeared from the surrounding areas.

Traditional leaders stated that the survival of sacred areas is not threatened because these areas are strongly linked with the community identity and thus well taken care off. Nevertheless, they worry about the strength of the cultural fabric that has upheld sacred natural sites. Changing attitude of young people who are becoming increasingly materialistic cause them to disobey toboos and show lest respect for ancestral beliefs. నేడు, many people use sacred areas without informing their custodian, indicating the erosion of cultural norms. More key threats have been identified, yet most are under debate among the local people themselves.

శతాబ్దాలుగా, the Bandjoun people have developed an ancestral management system of sacred natural sites. The location of natural and semi-natural sacred sites is identified by the initiated spiritual leaders (MkamSi). While most have been long-established, the location of a sacred area is not immutable and can be changed for reasons like road construction or socio-political reorientation. Generally, each sacred area comes under the responsibility of a custodian called Nongtchuép. He is responsible for making offerings and sacrifices, for which he can also mandate a representative. The initiated elders are universal custodians. They have the right to work in all worship sites.

The greatest progress supporting the conservation of sacred areas would be their legal recognition, increased public awareness, reduced negative changes in land use and a better recognition of their socio-cultural and ecological importance. To achieve all of the above will require involvement of stakeholders at local, national and international levels. Read more.