Sacred mangroves as conservationSourced
A fence is not the only way to protect land.
Some places are entrusted to spirits.
In Benin's La Bouche du Roy conservation area, some mangroves and waterways are treated as sacred places protected by Zangbeto spirits. Residents of different religions respect these sites and avoid disturbing them. About 503 hectares had been designated this way by 2023.
Protection can grow
from local culture.
Summary / translation: Unbubly · CC BY-SA 4.0
Source and reuse details
Community Biodiversity Conservation Area of La Bouche du Roy · Wikimedia contributors
Community Biodiversity Conservation Area of La Bouche du Roy ↗
Adapted, summarized and translated from the source. Adapted text is also available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reviewed: 2026-10-01