Taimen Conservation and Buddhism

The Tributary Fund presents Buddha and the Big Fish


Lifeonterra.com is now showing this awesome film illustrating the link between Taimen Conservation and Buddhism, and the work of The Tributary Fund in the Eg Uur region of northern Mongolia. In linking conservation and culture, The Tributary Fund is encouraging local community members to protect their natural heritage, and is reinforcing their traditional deeply held respect for nature. As you will see their flagship project was the restoration of the Dayan Derkh Monastery, and is part of a wider conservation project involving The Taimen Conservation Fund and Sweetwater Travel.

Photo: Hay cutting at Dayan Derkh Monastery

I must admit to initially being a sceptic about the link between Buddhism and conservation, but from talking with Betsy Gaines Quammen of The Tributary Fund, and with locals from the Eg Uur area I can attest to the value of this project and the contribution it has made to conservation and environmental awareness among the local community. When I traveled to the area in 2006 I saw how proud the locals were of their Buddhist heritage, and of the fact that the monastery was being restored. They told me that once there were 1000 monks in this valley.

Re-built and re-opened Dayan Derkh Monastery 2007. Photo: Dan Bailey.

If further evidence of this successful outreach project were needed, as I walked down the main street in nearby the village this year, I was accosted by a tough looking local. He asked me if I'd been fishing for Taimen, I said yes, and explained that we were fly fishing, that we had all the correct permits, and that we always carefully released our catch. Satisfied with my answer he explained that he loves the Taimen, and if I said I'd killed one he was going to punch me out. I said thanks!

Photo: The Uur River at Dayan Derkh