This book examines the relationship between sacred landscapes, indigenous knowledge, ethno-culture, and natural resource management. The volume contributes to the existing literature on landscape studies and cultural geography by examining local perceptions toward multiple aspects of sacred landscape and ethno-culture under changing social and economic contexts, with case studies from diverse cultural and geographical areas worldwide.

The book is useful for undergraduate and graduate students, policymakers, planners, park managers, and government officials to understand the needs for and natural resources of an area as well as the effect of park policies on people to establish their mutually beneficial relationships. Readers learn how to integrate the concept of sacred landscapes, indigenous knowledge, ethno-culture, and natural resources management to improve human resilience to global environmental change, and to assess the proper development program in resource-deprived areas.

Deals with cultural approaches to nature conservation at a global level Is an original in discussing sacred landscapes, indigenous knowledge, ethno-culture, and natural resource management Supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Autorentext

Prof. Suresh Chand Rai is a professor of physical geography and the former Head of the Department of Geography,  Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi. He completed his master of science and Ph.D. degrees in geography at Banaras Hindu University in 1979 and 1984, respectively. Prof. Rai served as a senior scientist at the G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development (An Autonomous Institute of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India) from 1989 to 2005. He significantly contributed to the field of land and water resource management, watershed management, wetland ecosystem, and groundwater hydrology. He has published more than 150 research papers in various impact factor/peer-reviewed journals and books. He served as the Secretary-General of the National Association of Geographers, India (NAGI), the largest body of geographers in the country from 2010-2022. Prof. Rai has been elected as the vice president of the Asian Geographical Society for five years (2019-2024). He has been the Editor of  'Annals of the National Association of Geographical Journal since 2022.

Dr. Prabuddh Kumar Mishra, with his unwavering dedication and scholarly prowess, has significantly enriched the academic landscape at Shivaji College, University of Delhi. His contributions span both within and beyond the confines of the institution. He holds a comprehensive academic background, comprising an MA, M.Phil, and a Doctorate in Geography, from University of Delhi. Dr. Mishra's research endeavors span a diverse array of domains including Indian Knowledge System, Natural Resource Management, Mountain Studies, Disaster Management, Sustainability, Human and Institutional Capacity Development, and Livelihood-related issues. His scholarly contributions are notable, boasting 31 research publications in esteemed International SCI/Scopus Indexed Scientific journals, 08 Research papers in UGC CARE journal, 07 chapters in edited volumes along with the authorship of 5 books. Currently holding the position of Joint Secretary at the National Association of Geographers, India (NAGI) the largest association/body of Geography in India (2022-2025) Furthermore, Dr. Mishra serves as a Member of the Editorial Board and Review Committee member/reviewer for numerous International Journals underscoring his commitment to advancing scholarly discourse and academic rigor.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Sacred Landscapes, Indigenous Knowledge, Ethno-Culture and Natural Resource Management: A Conceptual Framework.- A Bibliometric Analysis of the Global Literature from 1972 to 2022 on "Indigenous Knowledge of Nature Conservation" Using the Lens Database and VOS Viewer.- Land Knowledge Integration System: An Approach of Root Making of Indigenous Knowledge.- Sustainable Management of Indigenous Knowledge Responses to Climate Change for Coastal Islands of Bangladesh.- Indigenous Soil Fertility Management Practices and Its Transition in the Semi-Arid Ethiopian Rift Valley: A Case Study of Agricultural Intensification in Sub-Saharan Africa.- Evaluating the Role of Indigenous Methods of Rainwater Harvesting for Water Sustainability of Local Ecosystems in India.- People's Biodiversity Register: Documentation, Protection, and Conservation of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in Sikkim Himalaya, India.- A Rethinking to Integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Natural Resources Management of Sri Lanka.- Rice Farming in Assam (India): Ecology, Tradition, and Transformation.- Forest Rights Act 2006 and the Question of Traditional Knowledge: A Legal Framework for Forest Management in India.- Protecting Australian First Nation's Dja: Whither Cultural Values Assessments about Country in the Face of Land Use Development Pressures.- Place Attachment and Traditional Ecological Knowledge amongst the Rongmei Naga Indigenous Community in Manipur.- Spatial, Temporal, and Phenomenological Conversations of People with their Scape at Deogaon, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India.- A Brief Introduction to Cultural Geography of the Central Himalaya, India.- Assessing the Impact of Modernization on Indigenous Culture and Status of Women in the Himalayas: A Case Study of Kargil District.- Geo-Economy, Working Conditions and Alternative Livelihoods in Temi Tea Estate, Sikkim.- The Role of Sacred Place on Quality of Life: A Temporal Study at International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Mayapur, West Bengal.- Assessment of Positive Impacts of Covid-19: Socio-cultural and Environmental Perspectives.- An Alternative Approach for Sustainable Management of Indian Sundarbans: Synthesizing Traditional Knowledge, Geoheritage, and Sacred Iconography in a Mangrove Landscape.- Perception and Satisfaction of Tourists Towards Bodh Gaya as A Sacred Tourism Destination.- Protected and Eco-sensitive Areas of Nepal Himalaya and Their Importance.- Architecture of Sacred Landscape in Two Soil Zones: Role of Plant Communities.- Geo-Hydrological Study of Springs in South East Facing Slopes of Shankay Bhir, South Sikkim vis-à-vis its Conservation and Management Through Traditional Knowledge.- Spiritual Commons: An Indigenous Narration for Sacred High-Conservation Value Landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, India.- Mainstreaming Indigenous and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Systems in Global Climate Policy for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies.