Modelling TEK–SDG synergies: the case of Ovoo worship in the Mongolian Plateau

This study examines the sustainability of Ovoo worship—a traditional Mongolian ritual grounded in nature reverence—through the Cultural–Ecological Nexus Model (CENM), grounded in comparative case studies of Altan and Bayan Ovoo. The results reveal that ritual activities produce short-term but reversible ecological disturbances while reinforcing community-based ecological ethics that enhance ecosystem resilience (SDG 15). The analysis also identifies intergenerational gaps in TEK transmission, underscoring the need for education and participatory governance to sustain cultural identity (SDG 11) and adaptive capacity (SDG 13). The proposed CENM framework offers an integrative perspective on how traditional local practices can evolve into practical sustainability mechanisms, bridging cultural heritage and modern environmental governance.