The Values of Sacred Swamps - belief based nature conservation in a secular world

New Paper by N. Hegde, R. Ziegler and H. Joosten in Environmental Values: Global forest loss is highest in the tropical region, an area with high biological biodiversity. As some of these forests are part of indigenous forest management, it is important to pay attention to such management, its values and practices for better conservation. This paper focuses on sacred freshwater swamp forests of the Western Ghats, India, and with it a faith-based approach to nature conservation Drawing on field work and focus groups, we present the rituals and rules that structure the governance of sacred swamps. We also discuss in depth the ecological, socio-cultural and economic valuation of these freshwater swamps by various local groups. In this way, we show overlaps and differences of valuation among different groups. In the context of a secular state with a diversity of faith groups and migration dynamics, we propose that faith-based governance of sacred swamps can benefit from the emphasis of faith-independent, "accessible" ecological, socio-cultural and economic values to foster a dialogue around sacred swamps and their place for livelihoods and nature conservation.

The important yet contradictory role of innovation in society calls for a philosophy of innovation. Critically exploring innovation in relation to values, the economy and social change, Rafael Ziegler proposes a collaborative theory and practice of innovation that aims to liberate possibilities for our common futures.

Economic space for social innovation

Forthcoming in 2019: Final volume of the project CrESSI: Creating Economic Space for Social Innovation, hg. von A. Nicholls und Rafael Ziegler, Oxford: Oxford University Press

Gettings things done with . . . Interviews with social entrepreneurs