Page - 369 - in Biodiversity and Health in the Face of Climate Change

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 prod- ucts 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, wet- lands and forest areas and other natural spaces sustains a variety of physical, psy- chological 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 popula- tion 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 pro- vides free access to a designated 2-km stretch that up to a thousand ‘morning walk- ers’ 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 pro- gramme  (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 atmo- sphere 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…