Les processus de patrimonialisation de la nature dans le Kodagu (Inde) : pluralités, imbrications, contradictions

Abstract

Located in the middle part of the south-indian Western Ghats, Kodagu District of Karnataka State belongs to one of the 34 global biodiversity hotspots. Its biological richness is therefore considered as part of the world common goods that is biodiversity. Nonetheless, the processes of making natural objects part of heritage are coming up under different forms that are often overlapping. Indeed, behind the protected areas (such as National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Sanctuaries), the number of concerned objects are increasing and getting a more cultural dimension. Their abundance varies from sacred groves (devarakadu) to coffee plantation landscapes. These initiatives are brought up by actors with different intents and can result in conflicts. Besides, they reveal the different perceptions of nature by the stakeholders. This article explores particularly the recent controversy in relation to the application for the nomination of a serial property, made of seven sub-clusters along the Western Ghats, as a UnescoWorld Heritage Site. It shows up not only the lack of consideration of the local context but also the absence of a territorial and integrated conception of the different initiatives for the protection and the enhancement of the natural resources value.

Keywords

• conflicts
• natural heritage
• Unesco
• Kodagu
• Western Ghats
• South India.