SummaryBiocultural and indigenous approaches to conservation, such as the sacred forests of India, are increasingly being recognized and valued. At these sites, the ecological aspects as well as the local community management and cultural significance of the landscape contribute to conservation success. From 2012 to 2015, we investigated five sacred forests in western Odisha (India) that varied in size from 1 to 1000 ha. Through interviews with 81 residents, we explored the types of groves, their use and management approaches. We investigated levels of grove disturbance and plant use with botanical survey methods. Some groves experience pressures from annual pilgrimage visitors, and we documented the relative impacts of pilgrims and other activities using ethnographic methods. Community participation or management by the Forest Department alone has not been completely effective in conserving these sacred natural sites; however, collaborative work can contribute to successful conservation. Continued community involvement is key to future biodiversity conservation in the sacred groves.

中文翻译：

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印度奥里萨邦神圣森林的生物文化保护

摘要生物文化和土著保护方法，例如印度的神圣森林，正日益受到认可和重视。在这些地点，生态方面以及当地社区管理和景观的文化意义有助于保护成功。从 2012 年到 2015 年，我们调查了奥里萨邦西部（印度）的五个神圣森林，其面积从 1 公顷到 1000 公顷不等。通过对 81 名居民的采访，我们探讨了小树林的类型、使用和管理方法。我们使用植物调查方法调查了树林干扰和植物使用的水平。一些小树林受到来自年度朝圣者的压力，我们使用民族志方法记录了朝圣者和其他活动的相对影响。仅森林部门的社区参与或管理在保护这些自然圣地方面并没有完全有效；然而，协作工作可以有助于成功的保护。社区的持续参与是未来圣林生物多样性保护的关键。