How a large cat deity helps people to share space with leopards in India


Date:
July 8, 2021
Source:
Wildlife Conservation Society
Summary:
A new study documents how a big cat deity worshipped by Indigenous
Peoples facilitates coexistence between humans and leopards.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A new study led by WCS-India documents how a big cat deity worshipped
by Indigenous Peoples facilitates coexistence between humans and leopards.


==========================================================================
The study, published in a special issue of the journal Frontiers in Conservation Science: Human-Wildlife Dynamics called Understanding
Coexistence with Wildlife documents how the Indigenous Warli people
of Maharashtra, India, worship Waghoba, a leopard/tiger deity to gain protection from leopards, and how they have lived side-by-side with them
for centuries (formerly tigers, too). The researchers have identified
over 150 shrines dedicated to worshipping Waghoba. The researchers note
that while there are still negative interactions with leopards such as livestock depredation, they are likely to be more accepted under the institution of Waghoba.

Warlis believe in a reciprocal relationship, where Waghoba will protect
them from the negative impacts of sharing spaces with big cats if the
people worship the deity and conduct the required rituals, especially
at the annual festival of Waghbaras.

Researchers suggest that such relationships facilitate the sharing
of spaces between humans and leopards that live in the landscape. In
addition, the study addresses the ways in which the range of institutions
and stakeholders in the landscape shape the institution of Waghoba and
thereby contribute to the human- leopard relationship in the landscape.

Said the study's lead author Ramya Nair of WCS India: "The main aim of the study is to diversify the way we understand and approach human-wildlife interactions. It does so by shedding light on how local institutions
that contribute to co-existence are not devoid of conflict, but have
a role in negotiating the conflicts that arise." Locally produced
systems that address issues surrounding human-wildlife interactions
may exist in several other cultures and landscapes. The authors note
that while conservation interventions have shown a movement toward the inclusion and participation of local communities, we have to recognize
that landscapes have a history before our own point of entry into
them. This is relevant for present-day wildlife conservation because
such traditional institutions are likely to act as tolerance-building mechanisms embedded within the local belief system. Further, it is vital
that the dominant stakeholders outside of the Warli community (such
as the Forest Department, conservation biologists, and other non-Warli residents who interact with leopards) are informed about and sensitive
to these cultural representations because it is not just the biological
animal that the Warlis predominantly deal with.

The study was conducted by researchers from WCS-India, NINA, Norway,
Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway and supported by
Wildlife Conservation Trust. Fieldwork was conducted across Mumbai
Suburban, Palghar and Thane districts of Maharashtra in 2018-19. An ethnographic approach was taken to collect data wherein researchers
conducted semi-structured interviews and conducted participant observation (particularly attending worship ceremonies) concurrent to documenting
Waghoba shrines. Questions were asked to explore narratives on the role
of Waghoba in the lives of the Warli, the history of Waghoba worship, associated festivals, rituals and traditions, and the ties between
Waghoba and human-leopard interactions.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Wildlife_Conservation_Society. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Ramya Nair, Dhee, Omkar Patil, Nikit Surve, Anish Andheria, John
D. C.

Linnell, Vidya Athreya. Sharing Spaces and Entanglements With Big
Cats: The Warli and Their Waghoba in Maharashtra, India. Frontiers
in Conservation Science, 2021; 2 DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2021.683356 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210708170345.htm

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