First published on 09/17/2012, and last updated on 06/02/2017
As of 2007, Fiji’s population numbering 837,271 residents were composed of 56.8% indigenous Fijians (i Taukei), 37.5% Indian and 5.7% other races, including Pacific islanders, Europeans, Chinese and Rotumans.
Contrary to many counties in the world where indigenous groups are the minority, Fiji’s i Taukei are a steadily growing majority (in part due to a high emigration rate by Indians) and their rights are strongly recognized throughout Fijian law.
Fifty-five percent of i Taukei live in rural areas (FIBoS 2008), where they are heavily dependent on farming and fishing for livelihoods (e.g., WCS 2009).”
Between 2011-2012, the ICCA Consortium undertook an international-to-local analysis of a spectrum of laws relevant to ICCAs. The reports analyze the effects of laws, policies and implementing agencies on ICCAs, and explore the diversity of ways in which Indigenous peoples and local communities are using the law to sustain the resilience of their ICCAs. Goals:
- Recognizing and supporting conservation by indigenous peoples and local communities.
- Analyses of international law, national legislation, judgments, and institutions as they interrelate with territories and areas conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities.
The synthesis report was launched in 2012 at the World Conservation Congress (Jeju, Korea) and the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Hyderabad, India)
