The law is an important tool in improving recognition and protection of sacred natural sites and their custodians. A growing overview of national and international law helps custodians, their supporters, governments and companies to respect, secure and advocate the rights that support their cause.
Tell us about any specific law or policy that you think could be added here at info@sacrednaturalsites.org.
- International Law and Policy provides an overview of relevant international conventions
- National and Subnational Law and Policy provides an overview by country with special attention for legal reviews
- Statements and Protocols provides an overview of community statements, resolutions and sectoral protocols
- Useful resources and links
This historic document is the product of an extensive process of collective construction, in which spiritual leaders of different linguistic communities participated.
Recognition
There are many forms of recognition that aid the protection, conservation and revitalisation of sacred natural sites, some of which may not always or fully be recognised by the law. Many sacred natural sites depend heavily on cultural and spiritual traditions that support their governance and management and these are often enshrined in their religious practices and uses. Recognizing traditional rights goes hand in hand with placing importance on rights to access, user rights, and cultural rights, an area of rights that is also increasingly known as biocultural rights.
