Why Rural Communities Matter
Bordering villages across South Asia’s protected areas are the lifeblood on which conservation depends. These communities live closest to the forests and wildlife, and they are often the ones who bear the greatest costs—crop losses from encroaching animals, and livestock taken by predators.
Yet, despite these hardships, local people remain central to the survival of tigers and the fragile landscapes they inhabit. Their cultural and spiritual bonds with nature help ensure protection, not just for wildlife but also for their own traditions.
Culture, Faith, and Survival
In many reserves, spiritual connections run deep. Pilgrimage traditions often bring more people to these landscapes than tourism itself.
At Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, more than 2 million pilgrims cross the park on foot each year during the Ganesh festival.
Across the region, parks welcome far more pilgrims than wildlife visitors, underscoring the profound role of faith in conservation.
This cultural reverence strengthens local communities’ ties to the land and reinforces the importance of safeguarding sacred landscapes.
Building Conservation-Driven Economies
For long-term conservation to succeed, rural communities must be the principal beneficiaries of new, sustainable rural economies. This calls for:
- Clever, joined-up strategies that integrate livelihoods with conservation goals
- Learning from global models where communities, not just governments, lead conservation-driven enterprises
- Sharing benefits fairly so that coexistence with wildlife is seen as an opportunity rather than a burden
Nepal has already demonstrated how empowering local communities to take the lead can create thriving, conservation-dependent economies.
Our Commitment
Ensuring that local communities are the principal beneficiaries of new rural economies is critical. By empowering them, we secure both the survival of fragile landscapes and the cultural heritage that sustains conservation.
