Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage, Pratumthani Province

Abstract

           Sacred forests are spiritual spaces, where are  the center of belief, faith and reverence for the deities and ghosts. The nearby community looks after and protects the forest by imposing restrictions on access to the forest and its resources, which reduce the problem of deforestation. It is considered as a useful form of forest conservation. This article aims to present the important role of sacred forests in cultural and ecological aspects, current situation, threats and guidelines for conserving sacred forests to ensure that the forest and community culture remain sustainable by collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing secondary information from documents both domestically and abroad. It was found that sacred forests in Thailand and abroad are related to communities in terms of being a place of spirituality, way of life, and environment. The community responsible for forest management. There are rules and cultures for worshiping the forest, trees, and sacred objects in the forest. Which have been inherited from ancestors until the present day. The rituals vary according to the local context and geography. Sacred forests have cultural and ecological value. It survives with the faith of the community and community-based forest management and protection. However, the number and size of sacred forests has decreased due to changes in society, way of life, population number, urban expansion, land use, environmental changes. The sacredness and culture have disappeared with the times. Social, economic and environmental threats affect the sustainability of the sacred forest. Solutions to conserve sacred forests can be done by pushing the world to recognize the importance of forest conservation in the form of sacred forests and promoting joint operations of all sectors in sacred forests conservation according to traditional wisdom combined with contemporary methods. Educating community members and using appropriate technology are essential. These lead to community strength and sustainable coexistence with the forest.