2024 Archives

Rights groups call for greater public input in ASEAN environmental rights framework.

Civil society and Indigenous rights groups are calling for greater public participation and transparency in the drafting process of what they say could be a pivotal agreement to protect environmental rights and defenders in Southeast Asia.

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

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) declaration on environmental rights was initially envisioned as a legally binding framework, but the scaling back of the level of commitment to a nonbinding declaration has raised concerns among observers. Groups are calling for an extension of the public consultation period, which lasted for only one month, and greater commitments to address key issues in the region, such as strengthening Indigenous rights, access to environmental information and justice, and clarifying mechanisms for resolving transboundary development impacts. If the treaty remains non-legally binding, its ultimate success will depend largely on the political will of each separate ASEAN state and on the continued efforts of civil society to hold their governments accountable.

‘Carbon colonialism’

‘Carbon colonialism’ in Africa meets resistance as companies seek to sell carbon credits from conservation projects that often upend local livelihoods—or worse

Themes: Conservation, FPIC, Indigenous people, Livlihoods

UNESCO out of Ngorongoro!

Remove the World Heritage Status NOW! Stop President’s Samia’s War Against the Maasai Everywhere! And Stop Harassing Joseph Oleshangay!

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

A joint UNESCO, IUCN and ICOMOS mission made a totally government commandeered visit to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Msomera 3rd – 9th February 2024. The Tanzanian government has in a similar manner tried to hide what’s going on from a mission from the European parliament, the members of which refused and were no longer welcome.

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.

Maasai People From Ngorongoro Yearn for Rights Their Fellow Tanzanians Enjoy.

The Ngorongoro conservation area is the only place in Tanzania where its residents have to be inspected to get to their homes from wherever they go. It’s as if NCA is a country within a country.

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

In India, as elsewhere, displacing villagers from forests 'harmful' for biodiversity.

Themes: Livlihoods, Indigenous people, Parks, Conservation

While there is widespread and increasing support for the protection of wild life, avoidable obstructions have been created by the insistence of some conservationists and project authorities on pursuing conservation work in ways that involve the displacement of many villagers. Hence an avoidable conflict has been created, ignoring the alternative of pursuing conservation in ways that avoid such displacement and disruption of rural communities.

Global protected area policies spark conflicts with Mexico Indigenous groups.

The creation of the UNESCO-listed Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Mexico’s Campeche region has led to a long-standing conflict with Indigenous residents who argue the government restricted their livelihoods, despite promises of support and land titles.

Themes: Conservation, Parks, Livlihoods, Policy

According to researchers, these conflicts are due to a fault in nations’ application of international conservation policy by overemphasizing the expansion of protected areas while paying less attention to socioeconomic factors and equitable management included in these policies. Authors underline the importance of adapting international conservation policy, such as the “30 by 30” pledge, which plans to conserve 30% of Earth’s land and sea by 2030, to specific local contexts and needs.

Farmers “chased” from Virunga accuse “ruthless” rangers of abuses

Fertile lands in the biodiverse National Park are a coveted resource for a growing population – but those who farm there risk violent consequences.

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

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.

Artemisa - Colombia

El modelo de seguridad en la defensa del medio ambiente y los derechos de las comunidades rurales

Themes: Conservation, Human rights, Indigenous people

Para hacer frente a la deforestación, los Estados deben proporcionar a las comunidades rurales e indígenas un papel activo en la defensa del medio ambiente, en lugar de criminalizar a estos grupos históricamente marginados.

"Raped and beaten"

Prince Harry charity linked to horrific abuses in Africa - new investigation.

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

A charity with strong ties to Prince Harry has been funding rangers responsible for horrific abuses against Indigenous people in the Congo, including torture and rape, according to a major investigation published in the UK’s Mail on Sunday.

URGENT ALERT:

Tanzanian Government on a Rampage Against Indigenous People

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

On January 14, TANAPA rangers stormed a village outside of Tarangire National Park, shot several Maasai villagers, arrested eight, and seized over 800 cattle. On January 18, the Tanzanian government announced a devastating new plan to forcibly remove 100,000 Maasai pastoralists from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). In recent weeks, TANAPA rangers also intensified harassment of communities living outside of Ruaha National Park (RUNAPA) despite an ongoing investigation by the Inspection Panel of the World Bank. With this escalation in evictions, violence, and livelihood restrictions, impacted communities have put out a desperate call for immediate action and support.

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.

Displaced Ecuador Indigenous group to return home after 8 decades

After an 80-year struggle to regain control of their ancestral lands in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, the Indigenous Siekopai people are set to return after a historic court ruling ordered the government to grant the community property titles.

Themes: Conservation, Livlihoods, Indigenous people, Human rights

World Bank Abdicates its Responsibility to Human Rights in Tanzania

In order to be truly accountable, the World Bank must immediately stop funding the REGROW project in Mbarali, which threatens to evict tens of thousands of people from their legally registered villages

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

The Tanzanian government’s plan to massively expand tourism across the country is no secret. In blind pursuit of attracting five million visitors annually and generating US$6 billion from the tourism sector by 2025, it has waged a brutal campaign against local and Indigenous communities living adjacent to Protected Areas (PAs).