ABSTRACT
Although the sacred importance of protected areas and the role of religious organizations in nature conservation have been recognized internationally, this perspective is still novel in some countries and may seem strange to protected area managers. This is the case in Brazil, a giant country not only due to its territorial amplitude and natural wealth, but also due to its cultural and religious diversity. Until recently, spiritual values were not recognized as a reason for public interest in federal protected areas, particularly in the more restrictive categories such as parks and reserves. Specific cases were dealt with only when they involved Catholic monuments of national importance – such as the Statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro. Or, in the case of other religions, when they became objects of conflicts. Research carried out on the subject, however, has shown that the sacred dimension permeates a large part of national protected areas, involving different social groups. In this chapter, we present the diversity of meanings, practices and religious uses identified in Brazilian protected areas and highlight their associated conflictual aspects that need resolution, so that spiritual values of nature can be incorporated and integrated into the management of these protected areas.
