Synergies and challenges for legal protection of sacred natural sites in the South Pacific

The South Pacific islands are home to a diversity of peoples with a rich culture and areas of outstanding biodiversity. While monumental heritage is found in some parts of the region, all of the Pacific Islands have a wealth of customs, practices and traditional knowledge linked to natural places. Globalization, modernization and population growth are placing increasing pressure upon this culture and the associated sacred natural sites. In the past, international and domestic attention has focused heavily upon management of protected areas for biodiversity conservation rather than their intangible cultural heritage values. However, more recently attention has turned to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Nonetheless, law in this area remains fragmented: independent international treaties protect natural and cultural sites and intangible heritage, and in most cases domestic approaches to heritage protection separate natural areas from cultural elements. This chapter considers the international law in this area and suggests a way forward for the better protection of sacred sites in the South Pacific.10 page(s