Biodiversity, buddhism and bulldozers in Thailand's Doi Suthep sanctuary
1992
Banziger, H. (Chiang Mai Univ., Chiang Mai (Thailand). Faculty of Agriculture. Dept. of Entomology)
Doi Suthep is both a national park and, for the population of N Thailand, above all a Buddhist sanctuary. The park is endowed with an unusually high biodiversity for its relatively small area of 261 square km: more than 2,000 vascular plant species-250 of which orchids-and the highest tree diversity everrecorded for a monsoon forest, The number of species of birds and butterflies, 320 and 500 respectively, is greater than what is known from the 8-times larger Khao Yai National Park. Besides many endemics, some 320 species of plants and 200 of animals have been discovered or described from the mountain; new species continue to be found. The park is a centre for intensive ecological research and environmental education. However, most larger mammals and birds, and two ravishing lady slipper orchids have apparently already been extirpated. The western park has been largely destroyed by agriculture; resorts encroach at the edges; needless road widening further degrade the park. Fortunately, a superfluous cable car project was thwarted, mainly on religious grounds, by leading Buddhist monks and laymen. Also, construction of inappropriate amusement facilities in the zoo has been shelved, at least temporarily. Religion, culture and the history of N Thailand are closely intertwined with the wildlife and nature of the park, a scenario which so far has saved Doi Suthep from the worst exploitation, and may serve as a model for conservation elsewhere. It is argued that Buddhism's leadership among religions as protector of nature is conected with its tolerance towards, and assimilation of, pre-existing animistic beliefs which tend to be the most environment-friendly. Attention is drawn to the largely unrecognized spiritual value of nature and to the need to emphasize this value despite the impossibility of quantifying it.
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