The Cultural Cradle of Biodiversity

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Linking cultural diversity with biological diversity is now being seen as the basis for conservation linked development through a community participatory process, as also being important for human security itself. The motivating factors for community participatory efforts lie not only on the 'tangible' benefits that humans seek through economic development, but also on the 'intangible' values that enable connectivity with nature. Here in comes the role of 'knowledge systems' that trigger linkages between ecology, economics and ethics. The book considers a range of issues based on the concept of the 'sacred' in an eco-cultural context, emphasising upon the role of natural cultural landscapes as the basis for humans to have a cultural identity of their own. The philosophical basis for this already exists in the ancient Indian concept, vasudaiva kudumbakam (the world with all its living beings is one family), which has been elaborated here, in this Volume.

Prof. P. S. Ramakrishnan, Emeritus Scientist at the School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Emeritus Senior Scientist at the Indian National Science Academy is an internationally renowned socio-ecologist. With an integrative approach towards conservation/management of natural resources and the linked sustainable livelihood and development of human societies, his area of interest lies in the interphase between natural and social sciences that touches upon ecology, economics and ethics. In this field of study, he has to his credit, about 450 research publications, 20 research synthesis Volumes (many of which have been converted into a number of policy documents), 'reach-out' Volumes and audio- visual documentaries.

Prof. P. S. Ramakrishnan, Emeritus Scientist at the School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Emeritus Senior Scientist at the Indian National Science Academy is an internationally renowned socio-ecologist. With an integrative approach towards conservation/management of natural resources and the linked sustainable livelihood and development of human societies, his area of interest lies in the interphase between natural and social sciences that touches upon ecology, economics and ethics. In this field of study, he has to his credit, about 450 research publications, 20 research synthesis Volumes (many of which have been converted into a number of policy documents), 'reach-out' Volumes and audio- visual documentaries, the developing world is much more vulnerable to rapidly developing socio-ecological uncertainties caused by global change and globalisation.

Now that many developing countries like India and China are the new emerging global economic power centres, these countries and many others have to cope with a vast majority of economically marginalised rural population based in a rapidly degrading rural cultural landscape. With increasing rural to urban migration arising from this marginalisation, the urban settings are equally stressed. Arising from these concerns, the garibi hatao (poverty alleviation) slogan of the 60s and 70s, prevalent in India, for example, are now being rediscovered in 2006, in spite of its rapidly growing national economy! At another level, the emerging pollution problems caused by both the developed and the developing countries, and the adverse impacts arising therefrom also tend to exacerbate the problems, with adverse impacts on the quality of life for the people on a global scale.

What does all this imply? Briefly stated, one would like to ensure biophysical integrity of natural landscape/s, and in the process ensure a quality of life for the people, based upon socio-ecological system-specific values. It is in this context, the concept of 'cultural landscapes' has to be seen as the basis for socio-ecological system sustainability. The philosophical basis for this is to be found in the ancient Indian concept, vasudaiva kutumbakam (the world with all its living beings is one family).