Community Conservation

Community Conservation

The roles of Indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation has been the subject of years of intense debate in academic and policy circles, and the tide is beginning to turn. An increasing body of evidence shows that certain communities contribute significantly and often in unexpected ways to conservation efforts, whether that is their main intention or not. Some have age-old customary laws and norms that view their relationships with the Earth as stewards or custodians; others have recently developed rules and regulations for the rigorous governance and management of resources upon which they directly depend.

Interdisciplinary research, improved access to information and communications technology, and a groundswell of social movements from the local to global levels have contributed greatly to the current level of recognition and support for Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ rights. Even with significant gains made in international and, to a lesser degree, national fora, much work remains to ensure proper implementation of supportive provisions and to advocate for further reform of inhibitive ones.

Community conservation, broadly defined, lies at the heart of Natural Justice’s work. We support Indigenous peoples and local communities to voice their own perspectives, concerns, visions, and priorities as they strive to uphold the bundle of rights and responsibilities related to self-determination and environmental governance. We also strive to cross-leverage the gains made in various international environmental and human rights fora to ensure that the highest standards are respected at all levels and in accordance with local values and procedures.

 

Publications

Enchantment and Disenchantment: The Role of Community in Natural Resource Conservation (Agrawal and Gibson, 1999)
Read More

 

Beyond the Square Wheel: Toward a More Comprehensive Understanding of Biodiversity Conservation as Social and Political Process (Brechin et al., 2002)
Read More

 

The Ties that Bind: Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Governance (Richardson, 2008)
Read More

 

 

 

 

Indigenous and Local Communities and Protected Areas: Towards Equity and Enhanced Conservation (Borrini-Feyerabend et al., 2004)
Read More

 

Bio-cultural Diversity Conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: Examples and Analysis (Borrini-Feyerabend et al., 2010)
Read More

 

Traditional Marine Management Areas of the Pacific in the Context of National and International Law and Policy (Vierros et al., 2010)
Read More

Latest News
  • African Indigenous Peoples Declaration on Rio +20
    Via www.mpido.orgA gathering of indigenous African communities adopted the Declaration of Indigenous Peoples of Africa on Sustainable Development and Rio +20 in Arusha, Tanzania on 19 April 2012. The …

  • Seeking ICT Support: May-July, 2012
    Natural Justice is seeking a Cape Town-based service provider to support our organisation in maintaining, updating and occasionally developing further Natural Justice’s internet presence. Successful a …

  • New IUCN-CEESP Newsletter
    The International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy’s (IUCN-CEESP) latest newsletter was released in May. The newsletter reports on the act …

  • Community Meeting in Bwabata Park, Namibia
    Through its African Biocultural Community Protocol (BCP) Initiative, Natural Justice travelled to the Bwabwata National Park in West Kaprivi, Namibia during the week of 7th May to meet with residents. …

  • Wapichan Map 1.4 Million Hectares
    Photo from www.forestpeoples.orgIn a bid to protect over 1.4 million hectares of community land, the Wapichan community of Guyana have produced a digital map of their territories. The mapping project, …

Photos


Images from our work in Africa, Asia, and the Americas
View More