Incorporating Islamic Environmentalism in Approaches to Conservation in the Trans-Himalaya
Journal Title: Journal of Environmental Law & Policy - Year 2024, Vol 7, Issue 1
Abstract
Conservationists increasingly acknowledge the value of co-productive conservation efforts that incorporate the Indigenous perspective. In the Trans-Himalayan context, they have begun to incorporate the Buddhist perspective in recent interventions; yet, there is an omission of Islamic environmentalism in these conversations. This omission is even more glaring when one considers that Muslims make up a significant percentage of the Indigenous population of the Trans-Himalaya. A review of the literature reveals a considerable body of Islamic scholarship on sustainable resource management in extremely harsh climates. In fact, co-productive conservation efforts in collaboration with local Muslim communities elsewhere in the world have been very impactful. While scholarship on the history of Islam in the Trans-Himalaya is limited, historians agree that, rather than being forced upon a passive Indigenous population, the widespread adoption of Islam was an active choice by a population that had plenty of exposure to different ideas and belief systems via trade. Supplementing these findings with qualitative research at the grassroots level among the Dard-Shin Scheduled Tribe in the Trans-Himalaya, the authors find further evidence of the syncretic blending of Indigenous and Islamic beliefs, deployed in service of effective natural resource management. It is, thus, proposed that future conservation efforts in this region would be well advised to adopt a more expansive approach to the Indigenous perspective.
Authors and Affiliations
Madhavi Peters
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP736230
- DOI https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.070102
- Views 83
- Downloads 0
Climate Change Regulations of Corporations in Tanzania: A Case for Dilute Interventionism and Veto Firewall Paradigm
Corporations operating in developing countries generally adopt an obstructionist approach to climate change and environmental regulation, particularly in states with weaker economic bargaining strength. Tanzania is one o...
Behavioural Sciences Used by the United Nations to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: A Roadmap and Some Stop Signs
The United Nations (UN) and several UN Agencies have started to use behavioural sciences in order to achieve their policy goals, including for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). While it is appreciated th...
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND INCLUSIONS: Inaugural Editorial
The environmental agenda encompasses a relatively large number of issues having multiple actors involved in and around them. Environmental problems are diverse and complex, both in local as well as in international setti...
Impact of Transformational and Relational Leadership Theories and Ethics Towards Climate Change Resilience in Fiji
This analytical essay explores the intricate interplay between leadership theories and the ethical dimensions inherent in addressing climate change, natural disasters, and their impacts on Fiji. Transformational and rela...
Prospects and Challenges to Prove Environmental Harm in Litigation: Status Quo In Nigeria
Environmental litigation and enforcement of environmental rights remain a global challenge to sustainability, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. The increasing rates of industrial activities have led to...