The Conservation of Maleku People's Sacred Natural Sites in Costa Rica

Abstract

This paper discusses the situation of diminished access for the Maleku people to their sacred natural sites, which is due to the national government’s conservation policies and land grabbing by farmers at the headwaters of rivers and seasonal lakes of the Frío River basin in northern Costa Rica. These places shape Maleku ancestral territory. In particular, we expose the current situation related to their fishing practices of culturally relevant species and hunting of turtles and iguana in the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, as well as the limitations for the collection of suita palm fronds in the Tenorio Volcano National Park and Protected Zone. We propose the formulation of rights-based conservation policies for protected areas within the ancestral territory through indigenous participation that consider the cultural and the economic interests of the Maleku communities. We call attention to the need to conserve rivers headwaters that are Maleku’s sacred natural sites owned by farmers, with no conservation norm applicated there. Consequently the conservation routes to take care of this biocultural heritage have to be built by the national government together with the Maleku people.