The philosophy contained in the Altai worldview considers natural objects (plants, cerrig, stars and planets) to be living beings endowed with the same functional organs as human beings. Accordingly, Mount Uch Enmek elwir yn draddodiadol 'navel' y Ddaear. Mae'r ddaear yn Credir i gael ynni hanfodol a gwybodaeth drwy'r bogail yn yr un ffordd ag y ffetws yn derbyn maeth yng nghroth y fam. Mae beth anarferol naturiol y dyffryn Karakol o amgylch Mount Uch Enmek, ffinio Mynyddoedd Altai Aur, yn gorwedd yn ei ffurfio daearyddol. The valley is unique for its widespread outcrops of gabbro and dolerite, high in magnetite mineral content. In the centre of the valley, these outcrops form what is essentially a ring of magnetite that is considered to attract the energies of the ether to the earth. Mae'r rhanbarth yn cuddio y rhestr o rywogaethau endemig llawer o goch, fel y ciconia du, y Root Maral a'r Llewpard Eira.
Three main threats were identified to the ecology, the culture and the spirituality related to the Karakol valley.
They are the:
1) changes in land law, daliadaeth tir a pholisïau adnoddau naturiol,
2) increasing unregulated local and international tourism and infrastructure development and
3) destruction of sacred sites by development, lladrad ac archaeoleg.
Climate change is also mentioned as a threat, particularly to the local ecology. Immediate threats consist of the construction of a gas pipeline through the valley by Russian State Company Gazprom.
The Karakol valley as a system of sacred sites is currently threatened by an gas pipeline under construction. Mae nifer o safleoedd sanctaidd mewn perygl yn uniongyrchol yn ogystal â rhywogaethau rhestredig coch, megis y llewpard eira
Ceidwaid
The ethical principles of the traditional culture of the indigenous peoples of Altai have been developed over centuries. These principles presuppose the particularly careful use of natural resources. They also acknowledge the existence of specific areas which play an important role in supporting the ecological balance between man and the environment. In reference to this connection indigenous inhabitants speak of soul ecology.
Altai communities contain spiritual leaders such as shamans and community elders. According to their philosophies however, personal responsibility is a predominant element of the indigenous relationship to the natural world. Taking responsibility for ones relationship with the natural world is consequently regarded of high significance to the modern world.
“Sacred sites are challenging humans towards a greater understanding of life” - Danil Mamyev, Park Manager and sacred natural site Custodian.
Danil Mamyev, Park Director and sacred natural site custodian with standing stone at Uch Enmeck Ethno Nature Park, Patrol Sacred Valley, Altai Gweriniaeth Ffederasiwn Rwsia.
(Photo R. Gwyllt, 2011.)
Gweledigaeth
The uniqueness of the indigenous initiative Uch Enmek lies in its attempt to express its sacred knowledge via traditional knowledge and contemporary science into a language that can be accessible to contemporary societies who may have lost their special relationship to the land. It is hoped that support may be received from the international natural and cultural heritage community in stimulating commitment to the park’s vision.
Gweithredu
Mae'r arweinwyr lleol ysbrydol bellach yn rhoi teithiau i addysgu twristiaid ac i sicrhau eu bod yn ymddwyn yn ôl y rheolau a fynnir gan y safleoedd sanctaidd naturiol yn y rhanbarth. Cydrannau y daith yn cynnwys 'Kai' gwddf perfformiad canu, ymweliadau â safleoedd craig celf, Kurgan, mannau defodol a phryd o fwyd traddodiadol Altai. When the indigenous people visit the valley they prepare themselves inwardly by placing negative thoughts and emotions to one side which could ‘pollute’ the special quality of the atmosphere. Fel rheol, visitors are invited to do the same, taking care that their thoughts be ‘white’ and ‘pure’. For the rest Uch Enmek’s current activities are predominantly limited to scientific research and awareness raising activities with local schools.
Polisi a'r Gyfraith
Uch Enmek is a specially protected natural park recognized by the province, but not by Russian Law. The park has been founded by concerned native shamans and local communities ion order to protect their spiritual landscape and natural resources from outside interests, part of the park is UNESCO Man and Biosphere reserve. The protection is based on legislation termed ‘Specially Protected Nature Territories and Sites in the Altai Republic.’ It contains three zones. Zone A is the ‘nucleus’, containing 810 hectares of sacred territory. Zone B is the buffer zone. It includes historical and cultural monuments. Limited access is granted, with strictly regulated visitation for shamanic rituals and scientific research. Zone C is the development zone, containing villages and farmlands, where active preservation takes place. 30 Per cent of the park is officially owned by farmers, 70 Per cent remains unregistered.
Clymblaid
The Uch Enmek Indigenous Initiative has founded a Park named after mount Uch Enmek as a response to the threats facing the Sacred Valley and the indigenous culture described below. The Initiative aims to do research on the ecological and cultural situation, implement nature protection and monitoring programs, raise awareness on the local ecology and develop spiritual and ethical guidance in park management. The coalition is supported by the Foundation of Sustainable Development of Altai and international support is offered through an alliance of several organisations namely the Sacred Natural Sites Initiative, Gaia Foundation and the Sacred Land Film Project.
Offer Cadwraeth
Education through the creation of a special school for ecological ethics based on indigenous spiritualties is an effective tool in achieving conservation. Guided pilgrimage contributes to raising awareness of the sacred, the cultural and the biological qualities of the site. Yn ogystal, guidelines are developed for spiritual and ethical management of these sites. One of the strategies used in conservation is the translation of the local spiritual beliefs to scientific language used in planning and management. Maps illustrate the lowering effect of excavation on the earth’s magnetic field, which is believed to be a key aspect of the places spiritual value.
Canlyniadau
Results of the actions encompass a database of local Cosmovisions translated into scientific language and some data on the local magnetic fields. Visitors and locals have additionally gained awareness on traditional values and beliefs. The awareness of these beliefs can, Fodd bynnag,, not yet fully face the persistent threats posed by stakeholders. UNESCO wedi cefnogi teithiau i mewn i'r Dyn a'r Biosffer wrth gefn a chyrff anllywodraethol lleol yn gwthio y gydnabyddiaeth o Ddyffryn karakul fwy fel safle Treftadaeth y Byd yn seiliedig ar feini prawf naturiol a diwylliannol, y broses yn cael llawer o gefnogaeth gan y llywodraeth ar hyn o bryd.
“It is very important to develop education through indigenous peoples perspectives… …We live in a responsible and important time because the earth as a living organism has reached a certain age… …has reached a Humanity is ready to understand the world through the language of indigenous people”.
- Danil Mamyev, Park Manager and sacred natural site Custodian 2012.
LEFT: An excavated Kurgan or ancient burial site at Uch Enmek in the Golden Mountains of Altai. Desecration of ancient burial places is a common phenomenon in Altai, relics are sold on the black market. (Ffynhonnell: Frediani J. 2008.)
- Dobson J., Mamyev, D., (2010) Sacred Valley, Conservation management and Indigenous Survival: Uch Enmek indigenous nature Park, Altai Gweriniaeth, Rwsia, yn Verschuuren, B., Gwyllt R., McNeeley, J. and Oviedo., G. Safleoedd Naturiol Sacred, Gwarchod Natur a Diwylliant, Ddaear Scan, Llundain,.tt. 244-354.
- UNESCO (1998) Golden Mountains of Altai, World Heritage Inscription, Ewch i wefan
- Embracing Earth: Indigenous Healers Converge at Jeju, De Korea, 2012: Gwylio Fideo
- Tir Sanctaidd Prosiect Ffilm (2011): “Altai Pipeline Moves Forward”: Ewch i wefan
- Tir Sanctaidd Prosiect Ffilm (2012) “Golden Mountains”: Ewch i wefan
- The Altai Project; Keeping Pipelines off Ukok, Ewch i wefan
- Altai Assistance Project: To Assist Conservation and Development of the nvironment and Communities of Mountain Altai: Ewch i wefan
