Video - Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaks out in support of the Bushmen
"The Botswana Government has always been for us a showcase democracy"
Themes: Indigenous people, Parks, Human rights, Poverty
“The Botswana Government has always been for us a showcase democracy in the way that it cares for its people. I appeal to them, and the world, to find new ways to help solve these issues in a manner that respects the lovely, spiritual culture of the San Bushmen and that truly cares for all of the people of Africa, especially its oldest inhabitants.”
More…
Nov 22, 2010
Stop the eviction of families in the Lacandon Jungle
Friends of the Earth International condemn police operations in Chiapas
Themes: Poverty, Indigenous people, Parks
The evictions were made to make way for palm oil plantations. Your help is needed in calling for an end to the evictions and the proposed development.
More…
Nov 11, 2010
For Some Bushmen, a Homeland Worth the Fight
“The government says we are bad for the animals, but I was born here and the animals were born here, and we have lived together very well,”
Themes: Poverty, Indigenous people, Parks, Human rights
By BARRY BEARAK, November 4, 2010. The New York Times. Central Kalahari Game Rserve, Botswana.
More…
Nov 08, 2010
Ndumo – An avoidable failure
Many thanks to Angela Impey of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London for providing this background to the Ndumo conflict.
Themes: Conservation, Poverty, Parks, Human rights
Ndumo – “An avoidable failure .............. has put both people and conservation on a collision course."
More…
Oct 31, 2010
Ndumo: a debate that just won’t go away.
A selection of South African media articles.
Themes: Parks, Poverty, Human rights, Conservation
"The threat to Ndumo grabbed both local and international attention when the local community cut 11km of game fence on the eastern and southern boundaries and invaded the park."
More…
Oct 28, 2010
Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas - ICCAs
A Bold New Frontier for Conservation
Themes: Conservation, Poverty, Indigenous people, Parks, Policy
"ICCAs are natural and/or modified ecosystems containing significant biodiversity values, ecological services and cultural values, voluntarily conserved by Indigenous peoples and local communities..."
More…
Oct 15, 2010
Bushmen launch appeal over right to water. Survival International. 1st September 2010.
Appeal against Justice Walia's refusal to allow the Bushmen’s application for permission to use a well on their lands.
Themes: Human rights, Parks, Indigenous people, Poverty
"The Bushmen launched legal proceedings in a bid to gain access to the well, which the government sealed and capped during the 2002 evictions. Even though the Bushmen have said they will raise the funds required to operate the well, the government claims that they need permission to do so and has refused to give it."
More…
Sep 28, 2010
Conservation, Human Rights and Poverty Reduction
A progress report of an ongoing debate
Themes: Human rights, Parks, Conservation, Poverty, CBD
Abstract
In the context of the World Parks Congress and the World Conservation Conference much has been written about conservation, human rights and poverty reduction. While the debate has been productive, it has paid remarkably little attention to the problems of eviction from protected areas. Many protected areas in poor countries still contain people and a challenge facing conservationists is how to deal with future moves to displace people from existing protected areas as legislation tightens. We suggest three principles which will be useful as these developments unfold; 1) that the social impacts of protected areas need to be carefully monitored; 2) broadening our concerns to address the needs of all local communities, not just indigenous peoples; and 3) understanding the ecologies and social impacts of co-existence could win more land for conservation purposes than currently found in protected areas.
More…
Sep 18, 2010