ABSTRACT
In India, an ancient link exists between Hindu tradition and nature, and many sacred sites—among them rivers, mountains, and temples—are found within protected areas. In recent years, visitor numbers to these sites—and consequently their impacts on biodiversity—have escalated, particularly during religious festivals. India’s National Tiger Conservation Authority has mandated 209that every reserve develops plans to manage religious tourism, but the challenges of balancing conservation with community visitation rights have hindered implementation. Here, we discuss the first management model to assist park authorities in meeting these challenges—developed in the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. In this ‘Green Pilgrimage Model’, government, civil society, and religious stakeholders co-manage activities ranging from waste disposal to awareness-raising campaigns linking conservation and religion. Although challenges remain, this project has led to observed shifts in visitor attitudes and behaviours, underscoring the potential of faith-based approaches and partnerships for nature conservation in Indian protected areas.
