Developing and Testing a Methodology and Tools for the Inventorying of Sacred Natural Sites of Indigenous and Traditional Peoples in Mexico
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Developing and Testing a Methodology and Tools for the Inventorying of Sacred Natural Sites of Indigenous and Traditional Peoples in Mexico Mercedes Otegui-Acha 2007 Pronatura Mexico/ The Rigoberta Menchu Tum Foundation In Collaboration with: IUCN-the World Conservation Union - Sacred Natural Sites and human rights issues; Credits Contents - Sacred Natural Sites and capacity building; - Sacred Natural Sites and a lack of information; - Conclusion. Published by: Pronatura Mexico and the 'Preface Chapter 3 – Research Context Rigoberta Menchu Tum Foundation in 'Contents ' Why Mexico? collaboration with IUCN-The World 'Acknowledgements - Biological and cultural diversity; Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland. 'Executive Summary - Policy Context. Copyright:©2007, Pronatura Mexico and the Chapter 1 – Introduction Chapter 4 – Developing a Methodology and Tools Rigoberta Menchu Tum Foundation in ' The Inherent Sacredness of Nature ' Introduction collaboration with IUCN-The World ' Benefits of this research project Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland. Chapter 2 – Rationale ' Proposed framework for developing the methodology and tools ' What is a Sacred Natural Site? ' Implementation of the framework Reproduction for this publication for ' Spatial dimensions of sacred entities Step 1: Evaluation Phase educational and non-commercial purposes is - Sacredness as the common denominator; - Methodology: Bibliographical review and open-ended authorized without prior written permission - Working premises. interviewing. from the copyright holder provided the source ' Why supporting the conservation of Sacred Natural Sites? - Tools: Questionnaires; is fully acknowledged. A. Sacred Natural Sites conserve biodiversity Research Protocol; - The role of Sacred Natural Sites in protecting Protocol tools: formal written agreements. Disclaimer: This Report does not necessarily nature; - Stakeholders, Timeframe, Benchmarks. represent the views of IUCN-The World - The value of Sacred Natural Sites for ecological Step 2: Sacred Natural Sites Potential Distribution Phase Conservation Union. research and protection. - Methodology: Coarse and Fine Filters; B. Sacred Natural Sites support indigenous and traditional - Tools: Geographic Information System (SIG) maps; For reproduction of this publication for peoples ways of life - Stakeholders, Timeframe, Benchmarks. commercial purposes it is obligatory to secure - Sacred Natural Sites and heritage; Step 3: Prospecting and Inventorying Phase a written permission from the copyright - Sacred Natural Sites and cultural identity; - Methodology: Evaluation; holder. - Sacred Natural Sites and ethno-linguistic -- Vision and goals assessment; diversity; -- Socio-cultural assessment; Designed by: Ricardo Real and Mercedes - Sacred Natural Sites and livelihoods; -- Inventorying strategy development; Otegui - Sacred Natural Sites and Traditional Ecological -- Inventorying implementation; Knowledge (TEK). -- Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Cover photo: Alonso Martinez,“Sacred plant C. Sacred Natural Sites support indigenous and traditional System. in the hands of a Seri shaman” peoples spirituality - Tools: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Free and ' Sacred Natural Sites and rekindling the interest in the Prior Informed Consent form (FPIC), Registration Template; Photos in report: all unreferenced photos in “Sacred”. - Stakeholders, Timeframe, Benchmarks. the report were taken by Alonso Martínez and D. Sacred Natural Sites: finding the right policy context Step 4: Compiling of the Information Phase Mercedes Otegui. Referenced photos - Protected areas of indigenous and traditional - Methodology, Tools, Stakeholders, Timeframe, acknowledge respective sources accordingly. peoples: readdressing the “status quo”; Benchmarks. - Sacred Natural Sites and international policy Step 5: Dissemination Phase Contact information: processes; - Methodology, Tools, Stakeholders, Timeframe, Mercedes Otegui-Acha - UNESCO and Sacred Natural Sites conservation; Benchmarks. Pronatura Mexico - Sacred Natural Sites groundbreaking national Aspergulas 22 (antes Pino) environmental policies: Chapter 5 – Initial testing of the Methodology and Tools developed Mexico D.F., MEXICO Africa Ph. (52) 55 56 35 50 54 Latin America ' Case study 1: Tiburon Island (Seri) Asia ' Case study 2: Wirikuta (Huichol) With the financial support of: E. Sacred Natural Sites: the challenges ahead ' Case study 3: The caves of the Wind and Fertility (Tenek, Nahuatl, Pames) - Sacred Natural Sites and legally established ' Case study 4: The Sierra Tarahumara (Tarahumara) protected areas; - Sacred Natural Sites and the lack of appropriate Chapter 6 – Conclusion laws and policies; Sacred Natural Sites and low public awareness ' Glossary and support; ' Bibliography Sacred Natural Sites and marginalization and ' Annexes vulnerability issues; Foreword his report contains the first methodological approach for the inventorying of Sacred TNatural Sites worldwide. As head of Pronatura Mexico, the country´s largest and most influential conservation non governmental organization, I believe this ground breaking experi- ence is of key relevance for finding new and innovative ways to become more efficient in the conservation of our natural resources. To grasp and translate into a methodological process such an ethereal concept such as that of the “sacred” must be applauded and I sure hope the proposed methodology and tools will find an echo in the conservation work of our colleagues worldwide. As the study clearly points out, Mexico is one of the world´s mot culturally and biologically diverse countries. It is hence of the uttermost importance for us, as Mexicans, to proceed with the implementation of a bio-cultural approach towards the conservation of our rich natural her- itage which, as the case of Sacred Natural Sites shows, goes hand by hand with the preservation of our cultural patrimony. I hence adhere with conviction to the challenge raised in this research project to protect not only our country´s rich biodiversity but also its related cultural values, practices, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, languages and belief systems. My ample years of experience in the conservation field also prompts my believing in the poten- tial of Sacred Natural Sites as community conserved areas, part of more integrated protected area networks which would in turn help in their long-term survival, expansion and effective management. To validate this belief, Pronatura Mexico launched recently a Sacred Natural Sites Initiative that is to test and work in Mexico this approach following the example set by leading conservation organizations such as is the case of IUCN- The World Conservation Union. On a final note, I am also proud of the support the SIG department of Pronatura Mexico provid- ed for this research project, especially Gabriela García, who produced the maps supporting and validating the methodology and tools proposed by the author in her discussion. Pronatura Mexico is ready to test and monitor the implementation of these instruments in those conserva- tion areas in which we focus in Mexico, to benefit from the incorporation of a bio-cultural approach in our conservation projects and to eventually lead the way for other national conser- vation organizations and actors. Lic. Martín Gutiérrez Lacayo General Director Pronatura Mexico Acknowledgements “How can you buy or sell the sky? The land? The idea is strange to I want to thank, first of all, my adviser in this research project, Gonzalo Oviedo, for guiding and inspiring me not only in this research project but all along my involvement with this fasci- us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the nating subject of Sacred Natural Sites. water, how can you buy them? Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. My sincere appreciation goes to Martin Gutierrez, General Director of Pronatura, for generous- ly supporting and encouraging me throughout the completion of this project. My very most spe- cial gratitude goes to Gabriela García for her invaluable help and patience in producing the maps Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark supporting the methodology proposed in this project. The same appreciation goes to Toño woods, every meadow, every humming insect. All are holy in the Ordoñez and his encouraging words and guidance during the ups and downs that accompanied memory and experience of my people. If we sell our land, me through this long process. My gratitude is also extended to Cristina Villanueva and her con- stant words of support and her general cheerful attitude when seeing the progress of this work. remember that the air is precious to us, that the air shares its spirit A general and heartfelt acknowledgment goes to my colleagues at Pronatura Mexico and their with all the life it supports. The wind that gave our grandfather his invaluable help in some many, daily, small and big gestures of support and adherence to the con- first breath also received his last sigh. The wind also gives our tents of this research project (here goes to you, Horacio, Alejandra, Jon Pantxo and Blanquita). children the spirit of life. So if we sell you our land, you must keep A special recognition goes to my colleagues and friends Antonio Robles and Maurilio de la Cruz it apart and sacred, a place where man can go to taste the wind for their continuous work on the subject of Sacred Natural Sites in their respective Seri and that is sweetened by the meadow flowers. Huichol communities. A very