UN probes controversial forest carbon agreement in Malaysian Borneo.

The government of Sabah state in Malaysian Borneo will continue to move forward with an opaque nature conservation agreement despite concerns raised by the United Nations.

Themes: Conservation, FPIC, Indigenous people, Human rights

In a letter, the U.N. calls in question the transparency of the agreement and the state’s approach to the human rights law principle of free, prior and informed consent. The agreement was signed by state officials and a representative of a Singaporean company in 2021. Shortly after news of the deal became public, some Indigenous groups in the state said they hadn’t been consulted or informed about the deal covering 2 million hectares (4.9 million acres) of the state’s forests. The U.N. letter was written by a group of “special procedures experts” with mandates established by the U.N. Human Rights Council, including the special rapporteurs on the rights of Indigenous peoples, on human rights and the environment, and on the right to development.

Cambodia: Carbon Offsetting Project Violates Indigenous Group’s Rights

For Indigenous People, Inadequate Consultation, Forced Eviction, Livelihood Loss

Themes: REDD, Indigenous people, Conservation, Livlihoods, FPIC, Human rights

​​​​A major carbon offsetting project in Cambodia shows that such initiatives can harm Indigenous people when communities’ effective participation and consent are not ensured. Conservation strategies that sideline and punish Indigenous peoples to address the global environmental crisis are unacceptable, and counterproductive. Verra, the standard-setting organization that enabled the project to issue carbon credits, should ensure compensation for those affected. The government should title the Indigenous Chong’s territories and uphold their rights.

Do national parks and wildlife conservation regulations in Nepal benefit Indigenous people?

Indigenous people are facing forced evictions due to weak regulations

Themes: Human rights, Indigenous people, Conservation, Parks, NGOs, Livlihoods

Needless forest evictions persist

Thailand's policy of evictions again in the spotlight

Themes: Conservation, Livlihoods, Indigenous people, Human rights, Parks

Amid the biological richness of Kaeng Krachan National Park, while forest authorities celebrate the importance of wildlife, a troubling practice of forcibly evicting native forest dwellers in the name of wildlife and biodiversity protection continues unabated.

For 1st time, Indonesia government recognizes ancestral forests in Aceh.

But only some.

Themes: Indigenous people, Poverty, Human rights

The Indonesian government has recognized 22,549 hectares (55,700 acres) of ancestral forests in Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra — the first time for the region. In total, Indigenous communities in Aceh seek recognition of 144,497 hectares (357,060 acres) of customary forests, and thus activists are calling for the government to recognize the rest of the forests. The communities welcome the recognition, saying it will give them legal protection to manage their forests in a sustainable manner.

Braving heavy rains, children join the fight to scrap Forest Conservation Amendment Bill, 2023

Call for saving the forests for posterity; claim that the amendment in the Bill will lead to deforestation and disaster

Themes: Human rights, Indigenous people, Livlihoods

Why There Are Serious Concerns Regarding Amendment of Forest Conservation Law

The recent debate on amendment of forest conservation law has seen the emergence of a broad range of objections that need to be responded to.

Themes: Human rights, Indigenous people, Livlihoods

How Tribal People Have Been Losing Their Land Rights Steadily for Years

How will you feel if someone promises to remove an injustice you have suffered for years, but in the end leaves you suffering even more than before?

Themes: Human rights, Indigenous people, Livlihoods