New map reveals abuse of local communities in India’s protected areas
Thematic EJAtlas map on protected areas in India reveals how the strict wildlife policies have undermined the rights of indigenous and local communities. Read more ▸
Asia
Wetlands and fishing communities of India in the spotlight
‘Community Conserved Areas in South Asia’ webinar series highlights successful efforts by traditional fishing communities to protect wetland biodiversity and sustain livelihoods. Read more ▸
Indigenous peoples in Taiwan make progress towards self-determination
Plans for Indigenous Peoples’ Confederate Autonomous Government in Taiwan make progress. Leaders recently have set-up institutional process for self-determination. Read more ▸
Philippines: Insights from webinar on Indigenous peoples in conservation
Speakers urged the government of the Philippines to make the ICCA Bill into law. They highlighted the necessity of scaling up technical assistance and financial mechanisms to support Indigenous peoples’ contribution to biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation. Read more ▸
PACOS Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia
In Malaysia, Consortium Member PACOS Trust is supporting isolated Indigenous communities as they face the COVID-19 crisis. Anne Lasimbang tells us which strategies they have employed to date, and how they plan to move forward during the recovery phase. Read more ▸
How is the Indigenous Obu Manuvu Community Facing the COVID-19 Crisis in the Philippines?
Watch the video
The Indigenous Obu Manuvu community of Davao City on Mindanao Island, Philippines owns over 13,000 hectares of ancestral forests. By engaging the Obu Manuvu “Pusaka” cosmology, they manage these ancestral forests as an ICCA to benefit biodiversity, regional economy and, more importantly their well-being and culture. This video highlights the value of their historical experiences with epidemics and how their time-tested adaptations helped them cope. Read more ▸
Congratulations to the 2020 Equator Prize Winners!
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners — including the five Indigenous peoples and communities who are affiliated with the ICCA Consortium membership. Read more ▸
Virtual Is the New Normal as ICCA Southeast Asia Holds 2nd Regional Assembly
Members, Honorary members, and partners from across Southeast Asia took to cyberspace for the 2nd Southeast Asia Regional Assembly from 1-4 June 2020. The regional council members and regional representation in the ICCA Consortium’s global Council were designated and the route forward for the region was collectively decided. Read more ▸
Tanawthari Landscape of Life: a Community-led alternative to top-down conservation
The Tanawthari Landscape of Life protects the rich biodiversity of the Tanintharyi region in Myanmar with the power of Indigenous peoples’ knowledge. Read more ▸
Second South East Asia Regional Assembly from 1-4 June
The gathering provides an online venue for sharing and learning from each other about the territories of life in the region. This year’s gathering has the further aim of continuing the ICCA Consortium’s regionalisation process in Southeast Asia. Check the programme! Read more ▸
COVID-19 Places Iran’s Nomadic Pastoralists at a Crossroads
Nomadic pastoralists in Iran play an important role in national food security and sovereignty. Since the arrival of COVID-19, they have been deeply concerned about the impact that the pandemic is likely to have on their society and way of life. UNINOMAD, ICCA Consortium Member, outlined its members’ concerns and proposed solutions in a letter sent to key national authorities on 10 March 2020. Read more ▸
“If We Are Still Alive, Then Let’s Go”: Reflections on COVID-19 Pandemic From Taiwan Indigenous Peoples
How can traditional indigenous knowledge help us cope with the pandemic? Sutej Hugu, our Regional Coordinator for East Asia, tells us of the Indigenous Taiwan Self-Determination Alliance and their reflections on the current situation. Read more ▸
2020: Super Year for Women in Biodiversity?
“It is time to go beyond a focus on women’s vulnerabilities to the recognition of women as agents of change and active participants in caring for the environment, restoring and recovering biodiversity, and healing our relationship with nature.” On Earth Day, our Honorary member Cristina Eghenter offers her reflections on women in conservation. Read more ▸
Farmers’ Rights Activists Released After Arbitrary Arrest and Detention in Assam
The ICCA Consortium issued a letter to the Chief Minister of Assam and other officials in India to condemn the arbitrary arrest of two farmers’ rights activists, including a nominated Honorary member who attended our recent GA. We are relieved they were subsequently released on bail, but concerns remain. Read more ▸
The ICCA Consortium Urges Authorities to Immediately Release and Drop Charges Against Indigenous and Peasant Leaders in Assam, India
Indigenous peoples’ rights and peasants’ rights activists Pranab Doley and Soneshwar Narah were arrested on 7 April 2020 in Assam, India. The arrests appear to be politically motivated with the intention of intimidating and silencing these community leaders, who have dedicated their lives to social justice and supporting Indigenous peoples, forest dwellers and peasant communities. Read more ▸
One Earth: People of Color Protecting Our Planet
One Earth profiles Black, Indigenous and People of Color who live and work as environmental defenders. Here, twenty short biographies introduce readers to diverse environmental defenders from around the world. Our dear Ghanimat Azhdari is among these young inspiring people interviewed by the author, Anuradha Rao, who describes the experience of writing this book and her meeting with Ghanimat. Read more ▸
Inclusive Development, an Imperative for the Future: Building Broader Partnerships for Better Informed Decisions
There is ample evidence that more inclusive approaches to conservation and sustainable development lead to greater success, both in human and environmental terms. Five different ways to build, broaden and strengthen appropriate and genuine partnerships – including through recognising ICCAs–territories of life – are described in this article by Marc Foggin, representative of ICCA Consortium Member Plateau Perspectives. Read more ▸
