Description of Challenge
Merge social meaning and ecological conservation. Cultural connection to local ecosystem. Spiritual connection to flora and fauna. The crocodile pond has been used as: > Praying pond for good harvest & women fertility > UNESCO heritage for protecting local flora & fauna > Place of protection for women's initiates during cultural events.
Solution
The creation of cultural/spiritual significance and/or rites and events around ecological sites help in their conservation, as well as help people connect with their surrounding natural wealth.
An example:
The Kartong Folonko crocodile pond is the oldest of three sacred crocodile pools in the Gambia and has been in the village for nearly 600 years. It has great cultural, spiritual and historical significance. It is believed that the pond was discovered by a great ‘ Marabout’ named Sheikh Omar Futiu from the Northern part of the Senegal/Gambia region. The name Folonko (the village) means ‘to bow your head to the ground’, possibly signifying reverence to mother nature.
There are about 10 crocodiles in the 10 meter deep pond, surviving on frogs and fish. The crocodiles have great significance for the local people as they are believed to have the power to intercede between the ancestors and the community.
The pond is a site for prayer and rituals, is seen as having protective power for women initiates and is an official UNESCO heritage site.
See the report in the link provided for a case study on Folonko (p.28) and more information on using sacred sites to
Solution:
Use traditional cultural connections to nature, or create new cultural connections, to create social meaning around natural wealth, conserve cultural wealth and wisdom, and protect local ecosystems.
