MEVE 014: Unit 12 - Social Approaches to Conservation

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 UNIT 12: SOCIAL APPROACHES TO CONSERVATION

12.1 Introduction

Conservation is not only a scientific or ecological endeavor but also a social responsibility that requires public awareness, participation, and cultural integration. Social approaches to conservation focus on involving communities, respecting traditional ecological knowledge, promoting sustainable lifestyles, and integrating environmental ethics into everyday decisions. This unit explores diverse social strategies such as sacred groves, people’s movements, participatory forest management, environmental education, green consumerism, and sustainable urban practices, all of which contribute to biodiversity conservation.

12.2 Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand traditional and modern community-based conservation practices.
  • Appreciate the role of people’s movements and public participation in biodiversity conservation.
  • Recognize the importance of biodiversity awareness and education.
  • Explore sustainable urban planning and ecological design principles.
  • Evaluate the integration of social values into environmental conservation.

12.3 Sacred Groves

Sacred groves are patches of forest protected by local communities due to religious or cultural beliefs. These ecologically rich areas act as biodiversity hotspots and have been traditionally conserved for centuries.

  • Located across India in states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Meghalaya.
  • Serve as reservoirs of medicinal plants, rare species, and traditional knowledge.
  • Provide ecosystem services such as water retention and soil stabilization.

12.4 Sthalavrikshas

Sthalavrikshas are sacred trees associated with specific temples or deities in Indian tradition.

  • Species like Ficusreligiosa (Peepal), Azadirachtaindica (Neem), and Aeglemarmelos (Bel) are considered sacred.
  • Encourage species preservation and ecological consciousness.
  • Demonstrate the integration of religion and biodiversity.

12.5 People's Movements for Biodiversity Conservation

Grassroots movements have played a crucial role in raising awareness and protecting ecosystems.

  • Chipko Movement (1973): Villagers in Uttarakhand hugged trees to prevent deforestation.
  • Appiko Movement (1983): A similar tree-hugging movement in Karnataka.
  • Narmada BachaoAndolan: Focused on sustainable development and displacement issues due to dam construction.

These movements illustrate the power of community activism in protecting the environment.

12.6 Clean Ganga and Clean Yamuna Campaigns

These national programs aim to restore the ecological health of two of India’s major rivers.

  • NamamiGange Programme: Launched in 2014 to reduce pollution and rejuvenate the Ganga River.
  • Yamuna Action Plan: Collaborative effort with Japan for sewage treatment and public awareness.

Both emphasize community participation, policy support, and environmental monitoring.

12.7 Participatory Forest Management

Involves engaging local communities in forest protection, regeneration, and management.

  • Joint Forest Management (JFM) program initiated in 1990.
  • Empowers village-level forest committees.
  • Balances conservation with livelihood needs of forest-dependent communities.

12.8 Biodiversity Awareness Programmes

Awareness campaigns help sensitize people to the importance of biodiversity.

  • Organized by government agencies, NGOs, schools, and research institutes.
  • Includes biodiversity festivals, exhibitions, rallies, and clean-up drives.
  • Focus on local knowledge, endangered species, and citizen science.

12.9 Biodiversity Education Resources

Education is key to fostering a conservation mindset.

  • National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and State Biodiversity Boards develop resource materials.
  • Textbooks, posters, audio-visual aids, and digital platforms enhance public knowledge.
  • Inclusion in school curricula underlines the importance of environmental education.

12.10 Green Consumerism

Green consumerism encourages eco-friendly purchasing decisions.

  • Choosing products with minimal environmental impact.
  • Promotes energy efficiency, biodegradable packaging, and ethical sourcing.
  • Drives demand for sustainable businesses and reduces ecological footprints.

12.11 Urban Planning, Restoration, and Green Infrastructure

Cities can be designed or retrofitted to be more biodiversity-friendly.

  • Green belts, water-sensitive urban design, and ecological restoration projects improve urban ecosystems.
  • Urban wetlands, parks, and reforestation projects enhance climate resilience.
  • Incorporates ecological design into urban governance.

12.12 Reconciliation Ecology

This approach seeks to modify human-dominated landscapes to support biodiversity.

  • Enhances habitat value of agricultural lands, cities, and industrial areas.
  • Encourages coexistence between humans and other species.
  • Example: Agroforestry, urban wildlife corridors.

12.13 Green Roofs

Green roofs involve the cultivation of vegetation on rooftops.

  • Provide insulation, absorb rainwater, and create microhabitats.
  • Reduce urban heat island effect.
  • Aesthetic and ecological benefits in urban architecture.

12.14 Green Spaces

Urban green spaces such as parks, gardens, and tree-lined avenues:

  • Improve air quality, provide recreation, and support urban wildlife.
  • Crucial for mental health and well-being.
  • Enhance community cohesion and urban biodiversity.

12.15 Gardening

Home and community gardening promote awareness of plant diversity and local ecosystems.

  • Encourages the use of native plants.
  • Reduces dependency on industrial food systems.
  • Supports pollinators and local insects.

12.16 Landscaping

Eco-friendly landscaping integrates native flora, minimal water use, and low-impact materials.

  • Reduces use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Promotes biodiversity and ecosystem services within human habitats.

12.17 Sustainable Cities

Sustainable cities integrate social, economic, and environmental dimensions into urban planning.

  • Emphasize renewable energy, waste recycling, efficient transport, and water conservation.
  • Foster low-carbon lifestyles and inclusive community spaces.

12.18 Conservation Education

Environmental and conservation education build knowledge, values, and skills.

  • Encourages pro-environmental behavior from a young age.
  • Promotes active citizenship, critical thinking, and ecological empathy.
  • Uses interactive tools like eco-clubs, field visits, and community workshops.

12.19 Let Us Sum Up

  • Social approaches to conservation involve people-centric, culturally rooted, and participatory methods.
  • Sacred groves, people’s movements, and education play crucial roles.
  • Urban initiatives like green infrastructure, consumer responsibility, and planning contribute to sustainable development.
  • Public participation and awareness are key to achieving conservation goals.

12.20 Keywords

  • Sacred Groves – Forests protected due to religious beliefs.
  • Sthalavrikshas – Sacred trees associated with temples.
  • Participatory Forest Management – Community involvement in forest conservation.
  • Green Consumerism – Choosing eco-friendly products.
  • Reconciliation Ecology – Designing human landscapes to support biodiversity.
  • Green Infrastructure – Urban systems that incorporate ecological features.
  • Sustainable Cities – Cities designed for long-term environmental balance.

 

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