Myanmar - ICCA Consortium

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The Fight for the Forest: Indigenous Peoples in Burma speak out on threats following the February military coup

Following the military coup in February 2021, Indigenous communities in Burma have faced nearly insurmountable threats to their lives, lands and forests. An escalation in armed conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands and put new pressures on the forests, as generals attempt to consolidate their control. In a 30 October event organised in the lead up to COP26, brave Indigenous leaders from across Burma speak out about the challenges they face and the ways in which the international community can support the struggles of Indigenous Peoples to protect the forests. Read more ▸

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Event invitation: Indigenous Peoples speak out on military coup in Burma

Join our Members and Honorary members and other Indigenous leaders in Burma/Myanmar for an online event on 30 October called: “The Future of Our Forests: Voices of Indigenous peoples of Burma on the Future of the Forest and Climate Change Mitigation in the Wake of the Military Coup”. Read more ▸

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Salween: Indigenous Karen peoples’ aquatic commons and fisheries under Burmese military assault

Karen environmental leader Paul Sein Twa took part in the recently concluded Twentieth Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. He spoke as a panelist in a side event titled “Indigenous peoples’ inland small-scale fisheries for healthy food systems.” This article is an adaptation of his speech. Read more ▸

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Indigenous peoples under new attacks in Myanmar: An open letter and call to action

Military airstrikes on the Salween Peace Park starting on 27 March 2021 have affected tens of thousands of Indigenous villagers in northern Karen State in Burma/Myanmar. The ICCA Consortium has issued an open letter and call to action condemning the military’s human rights violations and violence against Indigenous peoples, ethnic groups, and other innocent civilians. Read more ▸

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Alert: Military junta bombs Salween Peace Park in Indigenous Karen territory after coup d’état in Burma/Myanmar

The military began a series of deadly airstrikes on Indigenous Karen villages in the heart of the award-winning Salween Peace Park in Karen State. The ICCA Consortium stands in solidarity and support with our Indigenous sisters and brothers of Burma/Myanmar and vehemently condemns all human rights violations and violence against innocent civilians. Read more ▸

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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 ▸

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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 ▸

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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 ▸

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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 ▸

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Ray of Hope and Challenges for Rawang Indigenous Peoples’ Territories of Life

In Myanmar, the Rawang Youth group and its allies are working hard to raise awareness about the value of territories of life, and seeking better recognition for these territories and the rights of the Indigenous Rawang people. Htonphu Nin Htay and Aye Myat Thandar tell us about their work and the emergence of the Rawang Youth group. Read more ▸

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Yes To Life, No To Mining Launches new ‘Emblematic Cases’ From Frontline Communities

A new collection of interactive case studies from the Yes to Life, No to Mining Network, of which the ICCA Consortium is part, shares the stories of communities resisting mining, restoring damaged ecosystems, and protecting and developing alternatives to extractivism. Read more ▸

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UN Watchdog Visits Myanmar to Investigate Conservation Project Jeopardizing Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

The United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) independent watchdog visited Myanmar to investigate a large conservation project posing grave risks to indigenous communities in the Tanintharyi Region, an area of the country that has seen decades of armed conflict during Myanmar’s 70-year civil war. Read more ▸

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Myanmar ICCA Working Group Grows Stronger and Plans Further Actions

On June 2019, the Myanmar ICCA Working Group held its bi-annual meeting. It was an occasion to prepare the documentation of ICCAs and plan strategies for engaging with the government to advocate for the recognition of these territories Read more ▸

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Regional Forum on Forests and People, in Myanmar

Over 227 people including indigenous communities from across the region, civil society groups, international organisations and government representatives came together at the Regional Forum on Forests and Peoples. They debated problems with forest governance and demanded recognition of their ICCAs – Territories of Life. Read more ▸

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Community, Culture and Conservation, in Myanmar

WWF Myanmar takes us through a visual journey among the ICCAs in the country. Kayin people, some Chin, Kachin, Naga and other Dawei people travelled from all over the region and country for an important workshop that marked the beginning of a new era in community-based conservation for Myanmar. Read more ▸

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Karen indigenous communities in Myanmar have officially launched the Salween Peace Park

Last month, indigenous Karen communities, the Salween Peace Park Committee, and the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN – an ICCA Consortium Member) officially launched the Salween Peace Park in the Mutraw District of Myanmar’s Kayin State. Read more ▸

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Regional Assembly Southeast Asia + West Austronesia

The Regional Assembly of the ICCA Consortium Southeast Asia and West Austronesia regions was held in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, on August 1-4, 2018. Read more ▸

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Burma/Myanmar – Stop the Ridge to Reef project

ICCA Alert – the UNDP GEF incepted the Ridge to Reef Project, a $21 million conservation project that poses to transform 1.4 million hectares of community lands in Tanintharyi Region into Protected Areas, without the proper FPIC of the communities. Read more ▸

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We Will Manage Our Own Natural Resources

Karen Indigenous People in Kamoethway Demonstrate the Importance of Local Solutions and Community Driven Conservation

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The Salween Peace Park : A Place for All Living Things to share Peacefully

On today, 3 March 2017, to celebrate World Wildlife Day, the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN) is pleased to release a short… Read more “The Salween Peace Park : A Place for All Living Things to share Peacefully” ▸

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The establishment of a community fish conservation zone in Megui-Tavoy District, Karen Statei

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On 5 February 2014, thousands of people in the Kamoethway Area gathered on the bank of the Kamoethway River to conduct the opening ceremony… Read more “The establishment of a community fish conservation zone in Megui-Tavoy District, Karen Statei” ▸