Paper short abstract:

This study explains conservation as an environmental policy, by challenging the idea of perpetuity and invulnerability of the sacred nature as the way the Siberian Buryats access the gods, destroys nature-centred morality and the interactive relationship with the environment in the Buryat society.

Paper long abstract:

The Buryat society, as long as its environment is not physically changed or so long as it is unaware of changes, has demonstrated stable relationship with its nature-based religion and sacred sites, with people describing these as the core of their daily lives and worldview. Unexpectedly, widespread awareness of environmental problems as a result of current global efforts or environmental restrictions on natural sites by the Russian government, as conservation measures, have challenged this society's relationship with its bioregional space. This means that, contrary to the dominant idea that indigenous peoples are still responsible for nature, the destruction and pollution of sacred natural sites by this indigenous community tell another story. This begs the question, what is the translation of conservation in an indigenous mind that has led to destroyed environment? By relying on an anthropology of policy, the study finds that conservation, due to its connotation, namely helping fragile nature to remain, has targeted the Buryat society's nature-based religion. Since these society's order is established based on religious expression, conservation can immediately be translated into a vulnerable sacred place, both objectively and subjectively. Such a perception, has led to struggles with both the sacred and holy that are defined based on nature. As a result, conservation challenges the perpetuity of sacred nature and, consequently, suggests a possibility wherein the main route to holiness is blocked, or at least troubled. In this situation, gods and the sacred in the society are gradually vanished and the sense of morality towards bioregions fade.