Home Institution
Lewis and Clark College
Publication Date
Fall 2015
Abstract
Since its creation in 1976 Sagarmatha National Park has been the subject of a great deal of internal scrutiny by the regions indigenous Sherpa Inhabitants. Since their arrival in the Khumbu valley some four centuries ago, the Sherpa people have held a deep respect for their land and have practiced a highly organized and effective form of environmental stewardship which they refer to as Yul-Tim. At its core Yul-Tim relies on the authority of certain village members to make and enforce rules within the community: a practice that has been greatly undermined by creation of SNP. While SNP has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the environment of the Khumbu valley, its impact on people is something that needs to come under review. Under close examination the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has shown a clear lack of respect for indigenous peoples and their conservation methods. This is an issue that cannot continue and requires change if the park is to survive.
Disciplines
Anthropology | Inequality and Stratification | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Place and Environment | Politics and Social Change | Social and Cultural Anthropology
Recommended Citation
Sivinski, Jake, "Conservation For Whom?: The Struggle for Indigenous Rights in Sagarmatha National Park" (2015). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 2226.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/2226
Included in
Inequality and Stratification Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons
Program Name
Nepal: Tibetan and Himalayan Peoples