Cultural Impacts

We learned that, in general, society is becoming more aware of the importance of forests and is evolving in a way that makes conservation of forests a priority. Historically, forests have been a place for religious, social, and healing ceremonies as well as a source of medicine throughout the world. Luckily, many sacred natural sites, which are probably the oldest form of nature conservation, have been protected because of spiritual and cultural beliefs. Global organizations are working to ensure continued protection because they not only provide places to continue these traditional practices but are also untouched ecosystems for scientists to learn from.

Practices and knowledge, which were originally discouraged by colonists, have now gained acceptance, and are often embraced, by present-day society. This new openness to traditional beliefs is helping some Indigenous communities, who suffered during colonization, in the healing process.


Learning from Traditional Afforestation Customs


Many traditional practices not only protect the forest, but encourage the growth of the forest. For example, along the Oubangui River of Central Africa, it is a tradition to plant a tree for a newborn child. This tradition has recently been adopted by the village of Piplantir in India, who expanded it so that 111 trees are planted for every girl born; 111 is a number which is culturally considered good luck in India. The adoption of this tradition has resulted in the successful afforestation of their community and has helped fight against female discrimination.




Learning from Traditional Conservation Beliefs


Ancient monoliths in Mawphlang sacred grove
Image Source: Wikimedia CC
The sacred groves of Western Ghats in India and Bhutan and Church Forests of Ethiopia are examples of spiritual beliefs that have helped protect and conserve forests. India's indigenous people predominantly practice Hinduism, in which the Bhagavat Gita preaches that nature conservation and nature worship are important moral obligations. Even today, Hindu households light a lamp in front of one of several sacred trees or a holy basil plant. Historical evidence, however, does not explain how worshipping a few trees expanded into protecting entire forests. It may have been a strategy to stop British rulers from the widespread harvesting of India's primary forests. British rulers honored the indigenous community's belief that some forests house the spirits of the local deities and left them untouched. Most sacred groves are still managed jointly by Hindu families or temple trusts.

Approximately 95% of northern Ethiopia has been cleared for agriculture, leading to drought and famine. Similarly to the above example, the Church Forests in Ethiopia developed as people converted to Christianity. The forest around the church has been preserved because church forests are community hubs and the residing priests are respected community leaders. Traditionally, it was believed that priests protect the human spirit as well as all of God's creatures; as a result, small swathes of primary forest (some over 1000 years old) were protected because of this important religious concept that has been carried through many generations.

These two examples show that forests can be protected when they are considered significant and valuable; not just for their value as lumber, but their importance to us culturally.

Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, much can be learned from traditional beliefs about living more harmoniously with our forests.