Managing religious pilgrimage to sacred sites in indian protected areas

In India, an ancient link exists between Hindu tradition and nature; and many sacred sites— among them rivers, mountains, and temples—are found within protected areas. In recent years, visitor numbers to these sites—and consequently their impacts on biodiversity—have escalated, particularly during religious festivals. India’s National Tiger Conservation Authority has mandated every reserve develop plans to manage religious tourism, but the challenges of balancing conservation with community visitation rights have hindered implementation. Here we discuss the first management model to assist park authorities in meeting these challenges—developed in the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. In this ‘Green Pilgrimage Model’, government, civil society, and religious stakeholders co-manage activities ranging from waste disposal to awareness-raising campaigns linking conservation and religion. Although challenges remain, this project has led to observed shifts in visitor attitudes and behaviours, underscoring the potential of faith-based approaches and partnerships for nature conservation in Indian protected areas. Personal Statement: Chantal Elkin In 2012, my work with the global organisation Alliance on Religions and Conservation (ARC) found me living in an ashram in the foothills of the Himalayas in Rishikesh, India. Based in this holy town on the Ganges River, I spent months meeting with respected religious leaders and contacting conservationists from across India in order to understand the nexus of conservation and religion. I made a surprising discovery: conservation and religion met, and often clashed, in India’s tiger reserves. These reserves are home to some of the world’s last tigers; as well as other globally threatened species. They also harbour some of India’s holiest