Sacred Landscapes, Indigenous Knowledge, and Ethno-culture in Natural Resource Management

This book examines the relationship between sacred landscapes, indigenous knowledge, ethno-culture, and natural resource management. The volume contributes to the existing literature on landscape studies and cultural geography by examining local perceptions toward multiple aspects of sacred landscape and ethno-culture under changing social and economic contexts, with case studies from diverse cultural and geographical areas worldwide.

The book is useful for undergraduate and graduate students, policymakers, planners, park managers, and government officials to understand the needs for and natural resources of an area as well as the effect of park policies on people to establish their mutually beneficial relationships. Readers learn how to integrate the concept of sacred landscapes, indigenous knowledge, ethno-culture, and natural resources management to improve human resilience to global environmental change, and to assess the proper development program in resource-deprived areas.

Prof. Suresh Chand Rai is a professor of physical geography and the former Head of the Department of Geography,  Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi. He completed his master of science and Ph.D. degrees in geography at Banaras Hindu University in 1979 and 1984, respectively. Prof. Rai served as a senior scientist at the G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development (An Autonomous Institute of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India) from 1989 to 2005. He significantly contributed to the field of land and water resource management, watershed management, wetland ecosystem, and groundwater hydrology. He has published more than 150 research papers in various impact factor/peer-reviewed journals and books. He served as the Secretary-General of the National Association of Geographers, India (NAGI), the largest body of geographers in the country from 2010-2022. Prof. Rai has been elected as the vice president of the Asian Geographical Society for five years (2019–2024). He has been the Editor of  'Annals of the National Association of Geographical Journal since 2022.

Dr. Prabuddh Kumar Mishra, with his unwavering dedication and scholarly prowess, has significantly enriched the academic landscape at Shivaji College, University of Delhi. His contributions span both within and beyond the confines of the institution. He holds a comprehensive academic background, comprising an MA, M.Phil, and a Doctorate in Geography, from University of Delhi. Dr. Mishra's research endeavors span a diverse array of domains including Indian Knowledge System, Natural Resource Management, Mountain Studies, Disaster Management, Sustainability, Human and Institutional Capacity Development, and Livelihood-related issues. His scholarly contributions are notable, boasting 31 research publications in esteemed International SCI/Scopus Indexed Scientific journals, 08 Research papers in UGC CARE journal, 07 chapters in edited volumes along with the authorship of 5 books. Currently holding the position of Joint Secretary at the National Association of Geographers, India (NAGI) the largest association/body of Geography in India (2022-2025) Furthermore, Dr. Mishra serves as a Member of the Editorial Board and Review Committee member/reviewer for numerous International Journals underscoring his commitment to advancing scholarly discourse and academic rigor.