Indigenous lands hold the world’s healthiest forests

but only when their rights are protected

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

The world’s healthiest tropical forests are located in protected Indigenous areas (PIAs), according to a new study. However, research shows that forests with minimal human modification exist only on protected Indigenous lands. Indigenous lands that are unprotected lower forest integrity. Researchers believe the lower integrity of forests on Indigenous lands is due to mineral, oil, and gas deposits that are located on lands and communities that lack land tenure to prevent extractive projects. According to the researchers, strengthening Indigenous peoples’ land rights is critical to reaching global conservation and climate goals.

This Human Rights Day, Stand With the Maasai to End Fortress Conservation

The colonization of Indigenous lands in the name of conservation has devastated far too many lives and must immediately end.

Themes: CBD, Conservation, FPIC, Human rights, Hunting, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, NGOs, Parks, Pastoralists, Poverty

An Opinion piece by Andy Currier, Research Associate at the Oakland Institute and co-author of Driving Dispossession: The Global Push to “Unlock the Economic Potential of Land”.

Loliondo Bogus Murder Case Dropped after Over Five Months.

While the Horror Worsens with Fake and Forced Land Use Plans

Themes: Conservation, FPIC, Human rights, Hunting, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, Parks, Pastoralists, Tourism

Amidst Government Terror and Lawlessness, the East African Court Fails to Deliver Justice to the Maasai of Loliondo

Themes: Conservation, FPIC, Human rights, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, Parks, Pastoralists, Poverty

On 30th September 2022 in Arusha, the East African Court of Justice delivered its ruling in Reference No. 10 of 2017 Ololosokwan Village Council & 3 Others versus the Attorney General of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Regional court dismisses Maasai eviction case against Tanzania

Rights groups said Friday’s ruling sends a dangerous message that Indigenous peoples can be evicted from their land in the name of conservation.

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

Photo - Maasai rights activists from the Maa Unity Agenda group march to protest outside the Tanzanian high commission in Nairobi, Kenya [File: Ben Curtis/AP]

Dubai royal family driving out thousands of Maasai to oblige rich foreign hunters

Themes: Conservation, Human rights, Hunting, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, NGOs, Parks, Pastoralists, Poverty

Maasai are being evicted from a Tanzanian wildlife paradise to make way for neocolonial land grabs by the Dubai royal family. The reason? The right to hunt unhindered for the next 30 years.

In Tanzania, the Maasai may lose their land – Again.

In Tanzania, a way of life hangs in the balance

Themes: Conservation, Human rights, Hunting, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, NGOs, Parks, Pastoralists, Poverty

East Africa must reject its colonial model of conserving wildlife

‘Fortress’ game reserves displaced the Maasai but ignore the pastoralists’ role in maintaining wildlife and biodiversity

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

The recent violent evictions of Maasai in Loliondo, Tanzania, to make way for a luxury game reserve is the latest in a long list of examples of community owners of land suffering under a “fortress conservation” model adopted in the heyday of colonialism. And what for? So that others, be they wealthy tourists or royalty, can use swathes of land as their playgrounds.