369
the Alto Orito Indi-Ande Medicinal Plants Sanctuary in Colombia proposed by the
indigenous Kofán communities (Stolton and Dudley 2010).
The value of protected areas to provide primary and affordable health-care products is a global phenomenon. Medical drugs derived from natural products support
a huge pharmaceutical industry; over half of today’s synthetic medicines originate
from natural species, including drugs like aspirin, digitalis and quinine.
Bioprospecting in protected areas has already turned up compounds that are being
used, or are in the process of development, for combatting high blood pressure,
cancer, leukaemia, HIV, enlarged prostate and malaria, and for antibacterial and
antifungal treatments. Protected areas are important sources of herbs and medicinal
plants that provide important health-care, social, cultural and livelihood benefits to
local people (Stolton and Dudley 2010).
16.2.3 Provision of Direct Health Benefits
There is growing evidence that access to protected areas, ecological reserves, wetlands and forest areas and other natural spaces sustains a variety of physical, psychological and social benefits and enhances the health and well-being of people
across their lifespan (Sandifer et al. 2015; Townsend et al. 2015). In Australia, Parks
Victoria’s Healthy Parks Healthy People (HPHP) programme recognises that parks
are fundamental to vibrant and healthy communities, fostering social connections
that are vital to community cohesion and contribute to social well-being (Townsend
et al. 2015). Recreation and time spent in protected areas can be linked to physical
and mental health benefits among adults, including the elderly, while research has
shown that parks foster active play in children and improve mental and social health
of adolescents during what is often a challenging time of life (Townsend et al. 2015).
Several countries have now adopted HPHP programmes in their national parks
and protected areas, including national parks in the USA, Colombia, Finland and
New Zealand. Many studies find that access to protected areas and other green and
blue spaces increases levels of physical activity and consequently physical and
mental health, although the relationship varies between type of activity and population group, and is affected by other factors such as perceived safety and distance to
amenities (Hartig et al. 2014). In India, for example, Keoladeo National Park provides free access to a designated 2-km stretch that up to a thousand ‘morning walkers’ enjoy every day between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. Similarly, in the UK, many protected
areas actively promote outdoor activity programmes, such as the ‘Green Gym’
scheme (Trust for Conservation Volunteers 2016) and the Walking for Health programme (Marselle et al. 2014), which use the natural environment as a health
resource. In Japan, Shinrin-yoku is the traditional practice of taking in the atmosphere and energy of the forest to improve health and reduce stress (Dudley et al.
2010). Building on the therapeutic effects of nature, the Victoria HPHP programme
has developed long-term cooperation with mental health facilities to bring patients
into parks and protected areas. This increased physical activity and access to green
16 Nature-Based Solutions and Protected Areas to Improve Urban Biodiversity…
the Alto Orito Indi-Ande Medicinal Plants Sanctuary in Colombia proposed by the
indigenous Kofán communities (Stolton and Dudley 2010).
The value of protected areas to provide primary and affordable health-care products is a global phenomenon. Medical drugs derived from natural products support
a huge pharmaceutical industry; over half of today’s synthetic medicines originate
from natural species, including drugs like aspirin, digitalis and quinine.
Bioprospecting in protected areas has already turned up compounds that are being
used, or are in the process of development, for combatting high blood pressure,
cancer, leukaemia, HIV, enlarged prostate and malaria, and for antibacterial and
antifungal treatments. Protected areas are important sources of herbs and medicinal
plants that provide important health-care, social, cultural and livelihood benefits to
local people (Stolton and Dudley 2010).
16.2.3 Provision of Direct Health Benefits
There is growing evidence that access to protected areas, ecological reserves, wetlands and forest areas and other natural spaces sustains a variety of physical, psychological and social benefits and enhances the health and well-being of people
across their lifespan (Sandifer et al. 2015; Townsend et al. 2015). In Australia, Parks
Victoria’s Healthy Parks Healthy People (HPHP) programme recognises that parks
are fundamental to vibrant and healthy communities, fostering social connections
that are vital to community cohesion and contribute to social well-being (Townsend
et al. 2015). Recreation and time spent in protected areas can be linked to physical
and mental health benefits among adults, including the elderly, while research has
shown that parks foster active play in children and improve mental and social health
of adolescents during what is often a challenging time of life (Townsend et al. 2015).
Several countries have now adopted HPHP programmes in their national parks
and protected areas, including national parks in the USA, Colombia, Finland and
New Zealand. Many studies find that access to protected areas and other green and
blue spaces increases levels of physical activity and consequently physical and
mental health, although the relationship varies between type of activity and population group, and is affected by other factors such as perceived safety and distance to
amenities (Hartig et al. 2014). In India, for example, Keoladeo National Park provides free access to a designated 2-km stretch that up to a thousand ‘morning walkers’ enjoy every day between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. Similarly, in the UK, many protected
areas actively promote outdoor activity programmes, such as the ‘Green Gym’
scheme (Trust for Conservation Volunteers 2016) and the Walking for Health programme (Marselle et al. 2014), which use the natural environment as a health
resource. In Japan, Shinrin-yoku is the traditional practice of taking in the atmosphere and energy of the forest to improve health and reduce stress (Dudley et al.
2010). Building on the therapeutic effects of nature, the Victoria HPHP programme
has developed long-term cooperation with mental health facilities to bring patients
into parks and protected areas. This increased physical activity and access to green
16 Nature-Based Solutions and Protected Areas to Improve Urban Biodiversity…