Abstract
Protecting biocultural diversity at Kazdaği National Park, Balikesir, Turkey: the role of Sacred Natural Sites
Highlights
People’s attachment to nature for cultural and spiritual reasons has helped us understand the sustainable nature of the human-environment relationship
The study identifies how Sacred Natural Sites (SNSs) are protected by traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and discusses how they can be integrated into modern nature protection programs
When it comes to SNSs, the Kazdağı National Park (KDNP) is probably one of the unique parks worldwide
Summary
Official nature conservation efforts have lasted a little more than a century in the world. This article documents, categorises, and maps the SNSs in Kazdağı National Park (KDNP), one of the most significant national parks in terms of biocultural diversity. Official nature conservation practices in the area focus on preserving biological resources but neglect cultural, sacred, and spiritual resources and practices inside the park. 24 SNSs have been identified in and around the KDNP, and have been categorised and mapped based on their characteristics. SNSs can provide an opportunity for park managers to include more spiritual and sacred dimension to their work, yet they might cause overcrowding of protected areas because of excessive tourist flows. Recognising and including SNSs in protected area management practice will both protect the rights of local communities and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. Article Info: Received: May 29, 2020; Revised: September 18, 2020; Accepted: September 30, 2020; Online: November, 30, 2020
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