Declaration for the Protection of Sacred Natural Sites

The ASSEGAIA Alliance launched the Declaration for the Protection of Sacred Natural Sites in January 2020, calling for the regeneration of the Earth to be central to decisions regarding these sites. The Declaration proposes a conservation model featuring a central 'no-go' zone and a buffer zone for ecologically sensitive activities, managed by Spiritual Guardians. The Alliance seeks to identify and protect such sites globally using international rights of Nature.

• The ASSEGAIA Alliance launched the Declaration for the Protection of Sacred Natural Sites on January 21, 2020, at the World Economic Forum. The document urges governments, the United Nations, international organizations, and private companies to prioritize the "regeneration of living Earth" in decisions regarding Sacred Natural Sites, advocating for the "sacredness of Nature" to be placed above human expectations.
• The Declaration proposes a preservation template for Sacred Natural Sites consisting of a central "no-go" zone and a surrounding buffer zone. This buffer zone is intended for "ecologically sensitive activities" such as educational heritage centres, connective experiences with Nature, and regenerative agriculture, all managed according to the biocultural rights of Spiritual Guardians.
• The ASSEGAIA Alliance, formed in August 2019, aims to identify Sacred Natural Sites requiring urgent protection, secure their status using international rights of Nature, and obtain financial support. The alliance has already worked to protect two founding sites in South Africa under the local Protected Areas Act.

APA

Natural Justice (2020). Declaration for the Protection of Sacred Natural Sites. https://naturaljustice.org/publication/declaration-for-the-protection-of-sacred-natural-sites/

Chicago

Natural Justice. Declaration for the Protection of Sacred Natural Sites. 2020. https://naturaljustice.org/publication/declaration-for-the-protection-of-sacred-natural-sites/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Natural Justice |title=Declaration for the Protection of Sacred Natural Sites |date=27 January 2020 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/publication/declaration-for-the-protection-of-sacred-natural-sites/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{naturaljustice2020declaration, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{Declaration for the Protection of Sacred Natural Sites}}, publisher = {Natural Justice}, year = {2020}, month = jan, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/publication/declaration-for-the-protection-of-sacred-natural-sites/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }