The role of taboos in conservation of sacred groves in Ghana's Tallensi-Nabdam district

Barre, Rita Yembilah; Grant, Miriam; Draper, Dianne

doi:10.1080/14649360802553194

Cited by 51 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Even today, many people living near sacred forests respect the gods and ancestors living within them and fear the consequences of upsetting them (Barre, Grant, & Draper, 2009;Campbell, 2004Campbell, , 2005Gottlieb, 2008;Kokou et al, 2005). Residents of the Sabi family in Kaboli explain that their forest is protected by several different gods, and that these gods can cause problems for people who fail to follow community-imposed regulations regarding the sustainable use of natural resources within them.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the Ecological Value of Sacred and Nonsacred Community Forests in Kaboli, Togo

Lynch

Kokou

Todd

2018

Tropical Conservation Science

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Despite Togo's naturally low forest cover and high rates of deforestation, remnant forest patches play an important role in conserving biodiversity and ensuring the well-being of the country's human population. Many of these remnant forest patches are sacred forests, ecosystems that are increasingly threatened because of changes in belief systems which have accompanied westernization. This study compares the ecological value and level of degradation of two sacred forests with an otherwise similar control forest that does not contain a sacred site based on characteristics including tree cover, vegetation composition, biodiversity, and biomass. The sacred forests had a significantly higher percentage of tree cover, higher biodiversity, and a greater biomass than the forest that did not contain a sacred site. In addition, dominant species within the sacred forests were associated with deciduous dry forest ecosystems while dominant species within the forest not containing a sacred site were introduced plantation species and species associated with savanna ecosystems. These results indicate that sacred forests in Kaboli, Togo, have a higher ecological value and are less degraded than similar community forests that do not contain a sacred site. This important role of sacred sites in forest conservation suggests that feedback loops exist between social and ecological systems, and that both need to be considered together to achieve effective development of forest conservation strategies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the Ecological Value of Sacred and Nonsacred Community Forests in Kaboli, Togo

Lynch

Kokou

Todd

2018

Tropical Conservation Science

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“…Cultural assimilation, imported religions, formal education, increasing migration, and other factors are all contributing to the breakdown of the traditional values and social structures that have served to protect these sacred areas (Barre et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local perceptions of Tibetan village sacred forests in northwest Yunnan

Allendorf

Brandt

Yang³

2014

Biological Conservation

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“…Harming the forest is forbidden by tradition and it is typically believed that any alteration of the forest, such as cutting wood for construction or firewood, hunting animals or other forms of resource extraction, will result in negative consequences to the person taking the resources (Gadgil & Vartak 1976;Chandrakanth et al 1990;Barre et al 2009). According to Chandrakanth et al (2004, p. 105), resource extraction from a sacred forest in India was perceived as a serious offence and 'traditional people believed that the punishment for such crimes would be to be reborn as urchins for thousands of years'.…”

Section: Sacred Groves As Community-conserved Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This approach to conservation is very different to that of maintaining formal PA networks. Whilst formal protection is bound by legal framework, informal conservation traditions are governed by customs and taboos (Colding & Folke 2001;Barre et al 2009). An approach that is sensitive to local peoples' traditions, such as sacred forest conservation, is likely to work better than an approach that alienates local people.…”

Section: Management Of Sacred Forestsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sacred forests of India: a strong tradition of community-based natural resource management

2010

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SUMMARYSacred forests represent an important long-held tradition of conserving specific land areas that have cultural, and often religious, significance. India, with its diversity of cultures and traditions, has over 100 000 sacred forests. Many of these groves are forest fragments in agricultural landscapes. In most cases, community members are at least aware of these fragments, if not actively involved in their protection and management. This review focuses on the Western Ghats in southern India and Meghalaya state in northeastern India, both international biodiversity hotspots. In addition to the cultural significance of sacred forests, a number of studies have suggested that they are important refuges for conservation of biological diversity, including medicinal plants, within highly anthropogenic landscapes. Whilst sacred groves have been successful conservation areas, current threats to these forests are numerous, ranging from pressures for use of timber and other forest products to clearing for agriculture or general changes in cultural traditions. A variety of arrangements exist for ownership and management of sacred forests, making it necessary to identify solutions on a case-by-case basis. Support for the continued practice of the tradition of sacred forest protection is needed in order to provide a culturally sensitive model for community-based natural resource management.

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The role of taboos in conservation of sacred groves in Ghana's Tallensi-Nabdam district

Cited by 51 publications

References 12 publications

Comparison of the Ecological Value of Sacred and Nonsacred Community Forests in Kaboli, Togo

Comparison of the Ecological Value of Sacred and Nonsacred Community Forests in Kaboli, Togo

Local perceptions of Tibetan village sacred forests in northwest Yunnan

Sacred forests of India: a strong tradition of community-based natural resource management

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