Column | The call of the wild and the myth of pristine 'wilderness'

The concept of wildness is fundamentally cultural, making it impractical to define objectively. In terms of area, ecological diversity, intensity of anthropogenic activity, and presence of infrastructure, the idea of wilderness differs among cultures and legal systems. Wilderness is still an evolving concept, influenced by various local meanings, uses, and values. Yet the fortress model, which is currently dominant in global conservation philosophy, ignores the local context—the traditional meanings and use values of wilderness. Because humans have been an integral component of the Earth's biosphere for millennia, nature untouched by civilization's chisels, saws, hoes, and pipelines is almost non-existent. Consequently, the fortress paradigm that is based on achieving 'pristine wilderness' that is contained and acultural, is absurd.

The othering of humans - How did we get here?

Wildness as an entity separate from society is a social construct and is deeply ingrained in contemporary thinking. The notion of wilderness as a space devoid of humans has colonial origins; wilderness is viewed as an uninhabited, exotic, and pristine place waiting to be conquered by an explorer. When wilderness is viewed in isolation from society, it promotes the idea that nature should be contained and isolated from human presence.

Until the early twentieth century, the vast majority of people interacted directly with the wilderness. With increased urbanisation and decreased interaction with nature, the visual and literary arts began to influence our understanding of wilderness. Our perception of wilderness in the twenty-first century is primarily shaped by tourism marketing.

Every wilderness locale has a unique identity. When it is commercialised to create a different image that appeals to global sensibilities, its distinctive qualities are erased, and local authority over it is lost.

The tourism industry is a global force with powerful stakeholders within a local-global nexus that has the power to drastically change a local environment, for the better or for the worse. Popular neoliberal conservation narratives, together with the dominance of the transnational tourism industry, can result in the exclusion, evacuation, and erasure of many cultures and peoples.

Globally appealing depictions of wilderness in the tourism industry often fail to reflect their socio-ecological reality. The public's consumption of images of commodified wilderness has the potential to shift public attitudes towards policies and management practises that marginalise and silence local meanings and uses of wilderness. This sets back grass-roots conservation as well as advances a form of neo-colonialism. When wilderness is perceived as a destination for nature tourists rather than a place where its stewards reside, tourism crumbles the local social fabric.

The Kerala Story

Kerala's natural and cultural landscapes co-evolved to form a society with minimal distinction between culture and nature. Neighbourhoods are entirely mixed in terms of wealth, ethnicity, religion, and tree equity. Parambu, the traditional homestead silvopasture (pastoral agroforestry) system, is ubiquitous, albeit varying in scale. The seamless continuity of parambu, wilderness, and forests stems from generations of people in Kerala who have lived in close association with nature.

In Kerala, wilderness is not viewed as a relic of pristine nature. Communities in Kerala are inextricably linked to wilderness. In wilderness regions, which can range in size from a few acres to hundreds of hectares, road access may be present with varying levels of human activity. Traditional wilderness is an economic resource for the people. Although humans use forest resources all over the world, those who directly rely on them as an economic resource are portrayed as an obstacle to conservation. Seamless wilderness can help to bring about a change in this thinking.

Commodified wilderness or symbiotic conservation?

The demand for wilderness experiences has surged dramatically over the last few decades as a result of increasing urbanisation and a greater appreciation of the benefits of engaging with nature. Wilderness sites are now more accessible to local and international tourism markets owing to greater air, rail and road connectivity. Furthermore, technological advancements and an increase in the number of people opting for remote work have contributed to an increase in wilderness tourism.

Rural economies, especially those in remote regions, rely heavily on tourism and often employ more local residents than any other sector. Wilderness has enormous potential for generating tourism exchange values, driving regional economic growth, and funding conservation initiatives. However, commodified wilderness prioritises tourism exchange values over local use values. Small-scale tourism led by locals that respects traditional wilderness ideals can lessen the likelihood of wilderness becoming commodified.

Traditional wilderness: capital, culture, and conservation strategy

Wilderness is a natural capital capable of driving regional growth. It shapes local culture and enhances a place's identity. Global wilderness conservation necessitates a transition to governance systems that are more locally led, and rooted in a plurality of perspectives if the aim is to preserve and nurture nature and not contain it.

(Ann Rochyne Thomas is a bio-climatic spatial planner and founder of the Centre for Climate Resilience - a sustainability and climate change advisory.)