An Atlas on Indigenous Peoples Facing Nature Conservation

Greenland

Russia Norway Finland Canada Sweden Denmark The Netherlands United States Mongolie Spain Japan China Iraq Morocco Nepal Mexico Algeria India Philippines Mali Sudan Bangladesh Myanmar Guatemala Honduras Trinidad Ghana CAR Ethiopia Costa Rica Venezuela Panama Suriname Uganda Sri Lanka Malaysia Colombia Cameroun Kenya Thaland Liberia Papua Gabon Rwanda Indonesia New Guinea Ecuador Burundi Brazil Congo DR Congo Tanzania Angola Zimbabwe Bolivia Madagascar Namibia Botswana Paraguay South Africa Australia Chile

Argentina Indigenous peoples of the World: land rights and con icts with protected areas New Zealand International legislation Indigenous peoples by country Country that ratied the Estimations, thousands Marine Gauthier / RiccardoConvention Pravettoni ILO n° 169, related to tribal and indigenous 113 000 peoples, created in 1989, entered into forces in 1991 50 000 National situation 10 000 Security of land tenure for Indigenous Peoples or communities as established in national laws1 Score 1000 Estimates not 1 a 1.5 (Security) 100 or less available 1.5 to 2 2 to 2.5 Con icts with protected areas 2.5 to 3 Overlaps and Con icts between More than 3 (Insecurity) Indigenous and Community Lands and national Protected-Area An Atlas on IndigenousNo data PeoplesSystems facing Nature Conservation 1 : The score is based on a series of ten indicator questions that point to the security of land tenure for Indigenous Peoples or communities as established in national laws. The assessment of each indicator is based on a review of relevant national laws, including the constitution, statutes, regulations, and high court cases, to the extent they are available. Source: FAO 2015; World Resource Institute, LandMark, 2016; United Nations International Labour Organization, 2016; IIED, Human Rights Standards for Conservation: An Analysis of Responsibilities, Rights and Redress for Just Conservation, 2014; RRI, Protected Areas and the Land Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, 2015. Contents 2 Introduction Part 1 /How to combine indigenous peoples’ rights and nature conservation? 6 JOSEPH ITONGWA “Nature conservation is indissociable from the protection of cultural and natural heritage and the rights of indigenous peoples”

8 DAVID S. WILKIE Now and then: local people as conservation partners and not sources of pressure

10 SIMON COUNSELL Where is the money going?

12 LARS LØVOLD The urgent need for people- centered forest conservation Part 2 /Case studies

14 Tengis-Shishged National Park, Mongolia: Boreal forest and reindeer herders

16 Itombwe Nature Reserve, Democratic Republic of Congo: Towards a new model of conservation?

18 Los Flamencos National Reserve, Chile: Negotiators in the desert

20 Ashaninka Territory, Brazil: Securing a sustainable forest future in lawless borderlands

22 Corridor of Pano and Arawak, Peru: Protecting the lands of indigenous peoples living in isolation

24 Bukit Duabelas National Park, Indonesia: Protecting the last lowland rainforest in Sumatra

26 Guiana Amazonian Park, French Guiana: When conservation is not enough 02

Introduction

very year, between 7 and 10 billion euros are invested in biodiversity conservation, an international priority whose objective is combatting the effects of climate change, preserving what Eremains of wild nature and saving endangered species. But the territories in question are not virgin environments; they are also home to millions of indigenous peoples. And creating reserves often means denying these communities access or restricting the activities necessary for their survival. What happens to indigenous communities when protected areas are created on their lands? From the Dukha in Mongolia, to the Bambuti in the Democratic Republic of Congo, through the Lickan Antai in Chile, indigenous tribes have managed their environments throughout the years but have suddenly begun to see their lands taken from them in the name of conservation projects. Some communities are suffering from these land grabs, some have chosen rebellion, while still others have begun negotiating their share in these projects. Through a cartographic analysis and seven distinct case studies, “Reserved! The Atlas” sheds new light on conservation. In doing so, this project gives voice to the unheard, evaluating the choices made in the name of conservation and illustrating new ways of protecting both environmental and cultural diversity.

Members of the Nahua indigenous group in the Nahua-Kugapakori-Nanti reserve for isolated indigenous peoples, along the river Serjali in Southeastern Peru

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How to combine indigenous peoples’ rights and nature conservation?

Greenland ndigenous communities represent nearly 370 mil- Russia lion people, spread across the five continents. Norway Contrary to what the term “indigenous” might Finland suggest, such communities are not defined by their Canada Sweden Iprimacy on a given territory, but by their attachments Denmark to it. If the indigenous peoples of North America were The Netherlands indeed the first inhabitants of that region, the Quilom- United States Mongolie bola – descendants of African slaves – equally count Spain among the indigenous of Brazil. Since the 1970s, these Japan peoples have made their voices heard, particularly in China Iraq the Amazon rainforest, where they fight against the Morocco Nepal industries that exploit the riches of this tropical region. Algeria Two principal pieces of legislation were born out Mexico of the international mobilization around concerns India Philippines regarding the rights of indigenous peoples and local Mali Sudan Bangladesh Myanmar communities in areas identified as in need of conser- Guatemala Honduras Trinidad Ghana Ethiopia vation: the Indigenous and Tribal People’s Convention CAR Costa Rica Venezuela (No. 169), adopted in 1989 by the International Labor Panama Suriname Uganda Sri Lanka Malaysia Colombia Cameroun Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Declaration Kenya Thaland Liberia Papua on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted in 2007. Gabon Rwanda Indonesia New Guinea Ecuador Burundi These measures are aimed, in particular, at recognizing Brazil Congo DR Congo Tanzania the traditions and cultural values of indigenous peoples as well as their rights over their traditional territories. Angola They grant indigenous communities the right to give or United Nations Declaration Zimbabwe withhold consent in connection with projects likely to on the Rights of Indigenous Bolivia Madagascar Botswana have an impact on the lands they possess, occupy or Peoples Namibia Paraguay use in traditional ways. States retain their sovereignty, On June 29, 2006, the Human South Africa however, and these treaties are not binding, that is, they Rights Council adopted the United Australia are applied according to the good will of governments. Nations Declaration on the Rights Chile Amongst the countries benefitting from some of Indigenous Peoples. This measure Argentina Indigenous peoples of the World: form of recognition of traditional proprietary rights establishes the individual and collective New Zealand of indigenous peoples over their land, the creation of rights of indigenous peoples, notably land rights and con icts with protected areas protected areas remains a frequent environmental those connected to culture, identity, lan- International legislation Indigenous peoples by country Country that ratied the Estimations, thousands strategy – and conflicts persist. guage, employment, health and education. Convention ILO n° 169, related to tribal and indigenous 113 000 The declaration insists on the rights of in- peoples, created in 1989, Indigenous and Tribal People’s Convention (No. 169) digenous peoples to perpetuate and strengthen their entered into forces in 1991 50 000 Convention 169 of the International Labor Organiza- institutions, their culture and their traditions, and to National situation 10 000 Security of land tenure for tion, also known as the Indigenous and Tribal People’s promote their development according to their aspi- Indigenous Peoples or communities Convention, is a legal instrument adopted by certain rations and needs. The declaration also forbids all as established in national laws1 Score 1000 countries concerning the rights of indigenous and tri- forms of discrimination against indigenous peoples and Estimates not bal peoples. The Convention was ratified by 21 states, encourages their full and effective participation in all 1 a 1.5 (Security) 100 or less available 1.5 to 2 the majority of which are located in South America. decisions which would affect them. This applies parti- 2 to 2.5 Con icts with protected areas It establishes the general guidelines for a participative cularly to those decisions having to do with the rights 2.5 to 3 Overlaps and Con icts between approach concerning decision making, emphasizing of indigenous communities to conserve their integrity More than 3 (Insecurity) Indigenous and Community Lands and national Protected-Area the self-determination of all indigenous peoples, while as a distinct people and to freely assure their economic No data Systems fixing ends, priorities and minimal norms. and social development. 1 : The score is based on a series of ten indicator questions that point to the security of land tenure for Indigenous Peoples or communities as established in national laws. The assessment of each indicator is based on a review of relevant national laws, including the constitution, statutes, regulations, and high court cases, to the extent they are available. Source: FAO 2015; World Resource Institute, LandMark, 2016; United Nations International Labour Organization, 2016; IIED, Human Rights Standards for Conservation: An Analysis RESERVED of Responsibilities, Rights and Redress for Just Conservation, 2014; RRI, Protected Areas and the Land Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, 2015. 06

the expert’s eye : JOSEPH ITONGWA

Joseph Itongwa Mukumo is an indi- peoples. Such peoples remain marginalized and the genous Mbuti from the North Kivu official recognition of their contribution to natural province in the Democratic Republic conservation as well as their capacity for governance and of Congo. He graduated in rural development and is currently the management of biodiversity is virtually inexistent. the coordinator of the Network of Indigenous and Local Com- This violates several of the rights of indigenous peoples munities for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems recognized by international legal instruments pertai- in Central Africa (REPALEAC). Joseph has been the director ning to conservation and human rights, among other or coordinator of several local and provincial organizations issues. Such measures include, but are not limited to, defending human and indigenous peoples’ rights, such as PIDP the Convention on Biological Diversity, including its Kivu Shrika La Bambuti and ANAPAC-RDC. Aichi targets for biodiversity and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The protected parks of Africa, and particularly Depriving indigenous peoples of their means those in DRC, were established on indigenous territo- of subsistence is a violation of their socio-economic ries housing forest ecosystems of extraordinarily rich rights. Such practices also put in danger the future biodiversity. The existence of these ecosystems, and of the biodiversity and of the ecosystems indigenous of natural resources in good condition, is the result of peoples have conserved in a sustainable manner for Are conservation and the rights of indigenous the strong links developed by indigenous peoples with their subsistence – since no one can destroy that which peoples mutually exclusive? nature through effective and efficient local traditional ensures his survival. Indeed, indigenous peoples have It is the question of implementing these rights that is governance. a different vision and perception of nature than those often problematic. While the issues involved in the ex- Reinforcing and securing the rights of indigenous of conservationists. Nature is heritage; to conserve it ploitation of natural resources are often documented, peoples over their territories, respecting their culture is to protect one’s heritage. they appear to be the same within protected areas. and values and reestablishing their dignity and equality In a socio-political context, such as that of the These are meant to save biodiversity for the good of in this way safeguards conservation measures. Territory DRC – characterized by diverse forms of conflict humanity. However, they have also been associated being the bedrock of culture, the traditional practices relating to the control of natural resources, and es- with violations of human rights committed against of indigenous peoples pecially problems of indigenous peoples in many regions. which underpin the cohabitation between The history of nature conservation is a history maintenance of eco- “Nature conservation indigenous communi- of expropriation. The first modern protected area, systems and natural ties and the protected Yellowstone National Park in the United States, was resources can only be is indissociable from reserves – indigenous established in 1872 by expelling the Native Americans applied in territories peoples are paradoxi- who lived there and depended on these resources for in which indigenous cally the first victims, their survival. The perception of a “virgin nature,” free peoples are stable and the protection of but at the same time of all human activity, as well as the interests of lobbies exercise their rights. the solution for sa- eager to develop reserves, infrastructure and tourism, In other words, res- cultural and natural ving biodiversity. It is have been sufficient to oust entire peoples. In 2016, pecting and protec- a question of respec- the Rainforest Foundation UK showed that indigenous ting the traditional heritage and the rights ting the legitimacy of communities in 34 protected areas in the Congo Ba- collective rights of their rights to natural sin do not enjoy recognized land rights in any of the indigenous peoples resources, recogni- countries in the region. The creation of at least 26 of depends upon secu- of indigenous peoples” zing their values and these areas led to partial or complete displacements ring the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable becoming aware of their capacity for the stewardship of without compensation. ways of live of the indigenous peoples. nature. In particular, it is a question of diversifying the Supported by human rights organizations, the The DRC, a country of incredible biodiversity, is models of governance and management of protected peoples concerned are beginning to appeal for justice. a superlative example of a conservation space. 13.2% reserves. It is in this way that conservation efforts can But in the absence of national laws in most of the of the total surface area of the DRC is comprised of be improved. countries affected by these conflicts, they must first protected areas, spanning nearly 30-million hectares. exhaust internal domestic remedies before reaching Today in DRC, access to the resources of protec- international courts without binding power - a long and ted areas remains completely prohibited to indigenous complicated process for peoples in danger.

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the expert’s eye : DAVID S. WILKIE

Dr. David S. Wilkie is the Executive remains visible, thriving and culturally valued. By Director of Conservation Measures helping local communities to secure their legitimate and Communities at Wildlife Conser- authority to take care of their lands and waters, by vation Society. Established in 1895 as the New York Zoological supporting them to build resource governance systems Society (NYZS), WCS is one of the oldest international conserva- in which they are making decisions and taking action tion NGOs. It was originally founded to address the precipitous that benefits wildlife while securing their wellbeing decline of wildlife populations in North America. Today WCS and cultural identities, we strengthen their capacity works in many of the most intact wild places left on the planet to manage their lands and waters sustainably and to to save wildlife. Those few amazing spaces where vast arrays of protect wildlife for future generations. Privatization of Nature conservation native plants and animals still fulfill their ecological roles and, To ensure that local people do not unjustly shoul- Even though states committed themselves to the for the most part, interact outside the influence of industrial, der the costs of conserving global public goods, we must environment at the UN Conference in Rio de Janeiro urban humankind. deploy both market based (e.g., sustainable natural-re- in June 1992, there has been a sharp decline in public source-based enterprises) and non-market based (e.g., funds for environmental conservation since 2009. At the end of the 19th century conservationists saw unre- livestock insurance, education scholarships) solutions Public aid for environmental activities dropped from gulated hunting as the primary threat to wildlife and to encourage conservation. $5.2 billion in 2009 to $3.1 billion in 2013. This decline in sought to protect species perilously close to extinction Challenges to conservation and approaches to pro- support is accompanied by a concentration of benefi- by creating national parks and reserves where hunting tecting our planet’s biological resources have changed ciary countries: Vietnam, Indonesia and Turkey account would be prohibited. Though Native American tribes in the last 120 years. Today we embrace the diversity of for almost a third of bilateral aid worldwide.2 This also had lived sustainably cultures on our planet explains the increasing role played by NGOs, which with wildlife for gene- and see local people have taken the reins of a declining official developmen- rations, and were not Now and then: not as a problem but tal aid, including environmental conservation. In 2015, responsible for the col- rather as allies whose the combined annual budgets of the World Wildlife lapse in wildlife popu- local people as rights must be secured, Fund (WWF), Conservation International, The Nature lations in the US, they not taken. Across the Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservancy Society too were excluded phy- globe, our indigenous (WCS) – the four largest international organizations in sically from protected conservation partners and local community the sector – reached $1.8 billion. They thus rival the $2.5 areas and prevented partners’ rights to their billion in bilateral aid. Investments by large NGOs even from hunting wildlife and not sources lands and water are appear to replace national budgets. For example, the that they depended on better respected and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is providing $44 for their livelihoods and of pressure protected. Indigenous million for the protection of nature in 2015. cultural identities. Ad- peoples are tangibly This “privatization” of international aid for conser- vocacy for the physical and economic displacement of benefitting from sustainably managing their natural vation is not without impact on human rights, of native peoples is both a historical truth and a philoso- resources and are increasingly motivated to advocate which states are the official guarantors. Managed by phy and practice long since abandoned. It cannot be for wildlife. private organizations, protected areas are cut off from wished away, but neither does it in any way reflect our national development policy and from human rights, values a century later. development or poverty reduction issues. The opacity We now understand that wildlife and natural associated with this privatization was denounced by resources are most likely to be conserved and used NGOs defending the rights of indigenous peoples, as sustainably when the people whose wellbeing depends it would make the use of complaint mechanisms on on these resources manage them. Today indigenous the part of indigenous communities wishing to as- peoples are our best partners and constituents for sert their rights impossible. Although there are many conservation because their wellbeing and cultural conflicts, the situation of these communities in relation identities most directly depend on the sustainable use to conservation projects differs depending on the local of wildlife and natural resources on their lands and and national geopolitical context, the former’s own or- in their waters. Partnering with indigenous people ganization in the face of the threat, and the assistance and local communities helps achieve a shared vision they receive from external actors. for a more secure and resilient future, where wildlife 2Aid Data, http://aiddata.org, accessed on august 2016

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Aid for the environment : bilateral agreements 2013

Kiribati the expert’s eye : Japan United States Canada SIMON COUNSELL Mexico South Korea Mongolia Philippines Papua New Guinea Guatemala China El Salvador Honduras Kazakhstan Simon Counsell is the Executive Di- of former local forest ‘guardians’ into that of poachers. Nicaragua Viet Nam rector at RFUK. The Rainforest Foun- Central African governments are, in theory, ultima- Haiti Panama Dominican Moldova Nepal Cambodia dation was founded in 1989 by Sting tely responsible for upholding human rights in their own Republic European Ukraine Colombia Myanmar Malaysia Communities Serbia Georgia Afghanistan and his wife Trudie Styler, after they witnessed the destruction territories. But at the same time they are almost wholly Bangladesh Thailand Ecuador Turkey Azerbaijan of the Amazon rainforests first-hand, as well as the devasta- dependent on international funding for forest protection. Albania Morocco Indonesia Australia ting impact it had on the lives of the indigenous peoples who Almost all conservation projects in Africa’s rainforests Macedonia Jordan India lived there. The Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) supports need to comply with specific standards (such as the US Lebanon Peru Cape Verde Tunisia Palestine Sri Lanka Foreign Assistance Act or the World Bank’s Operatio- Mauritania indigenous peoples and traditional populations of the world’s Maldives nal Policies, both of which require the respect of local Bolivia Mali rainforest in their efforts to protect their environment and fulfill Senegal Chad Sudan Djibouti their rights to land, life and livelihood. people’s rights) in addition to respecting national law. Niger Brazil Burkina Faso However, with the current lack of transparency, neither Liberia S. Sudan Ethiopia Vast amounts of tax payers’ money has flowed into local people suffering abuses, nor external observers, can Ghana Uganda Cameroon Rwanda Kenya Nordic Development conservation projects in Central Africa’s rainforests. determine whether these are being complied with or not. Fund (NDF) 3 However, new analysis by leading London-based envi- Achieving equitable and sustainable conservation Sao Tome & Principe Tanzania RD Congo Comoros ronmental charity the Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) in the Congo Basin requires a fundamental shift in how Bilateral aid for the environment Zambia Madagascar of 34 protected areas across protected areas are funded, Million dollars Malawi Sweden the region strongly suggests established, and managed. 560 Norway Receiving country Mozambique United Kingdom Finland these efforts have had ques- Where is First, this means linking 100 tionable results in terms of conservation funding direc- 10 Donor country Denmark protecting wildlife, and may the money going? tly to conservation outcomes. 1 South Africa Ireland * Dont les catégories “éducation environnementale / formations”, “Politiques Netherlands inadvertently be causing The effectiveness of protec- environnementales et gestion administrative”, “recherche environnementale” harm to millions of local people. Upwards of $US500 ted areas should be judged by whether they can show The “Big 4” conservation NGOs annual budget Belgium Germany million has gone towards the preservation of rainforest objectively that they are protecting wildlife, as well as Million dollars Luxembourg reserves in countries such as Cameroon and the Demo- whether they are respecting local people’s rights and the France Austria cratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the past 15 years. relevant social laws and safeguards. Second, international Slovenia WWF Wildlife Switzerland The Nature Conservation Conservation Most of it has come from the aid programmes of the US, funding agencies and conservation charities must turn Conservancy 289 Society International 1 114 Spain Germany and the European Union. But finding out what their long-standing promises to respect the rights of local Italy this money was actually spent on, and how effective it has and indigenous peoples into reality, such as through sup- 234 165 been, proves challenging. port for innovative indigenous and community-conserved This absence of detailed information obscures areas. Such locally protected areas have proven in other whether conservation outcomes are being achieved effec- regions such as the Amazon rainforest to be even more tively and fairly (or at all). RFUK’s research has shown effective than national parks at conserving forest. They that conservationists in the region believe biodiversity in urgently need to be tested and deployed in Africa. New The right to decide by themselves tion of the peoples to assert their rights, can promote fact continues to dwindle. Despite the significant financial opportunities such as the recent community forest legisla- Despite their historical antagonism, nature conserva- mutual agreement and benefits. But the stakes are not investment, strict protection of the region’s forest wildlife tion in the Democratic Republic of Congo provide scope tion and indigenous peoples are finding ways to coo- simple. “The error would be to homogenize Aboriginal seems to be ineffective. Furthermore, the lack of transpa- for local people to take control of the lands they depend perate. This debate was at the heart of the last World peoples as all being alike. In reality, we must leave rency and accountability of much conservation funding on, and to benefit from them, whilst also protecting them. Conservation Congress held in Hawaii in September room for each people to think and decide what they has an even more troubling side. Critically, when cases Without a willingness to try approaches that differ 2016, bringing together environmental advocates and want. Some will want to create their own protected of mistreatment of local people by so-called ‘eco-guards’ from strict ‘guns and guards’ conservation, the future states for 10 days. The United Nations Special Reporter area, others will want another type of management”, such as forced evictions, beatings and confiscation of of much of central Africa’s amazing wildlife – including on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Victoria Tauli-Cor- asserts Felipe Guerra Schleef, a Chilean lawyer and food are reported, it is hard to identify who is ultimately gorillas, okapi and forest elephants - looks bleak indeed. puz, observed that “many environmental organizations advocate for indigenous peoples at the American accountable, as there is no clear indication of who funds Those who are currently providing the bulk of the funding and governments still view indigenous peoples as Court of Human Rights. As the territories of these the anti-poaching patrolling operations. Some observers for this failing conservation paradigm need to make a obstacles rather than as partners”. And conservation peoples are increasingly integrated into “protected believe that this mistreatment is making it even harder to decisive change to a more ‘people-friendly’ future. organizations are therefore called upon to review their areas”, this right to self-determination becomes ever protect wildlife, because such abuses can change the role conservation models. more urgent. Terrestrial protected areas have almost 2 3www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/media.ashx/38342-rainforest- Beyond the legal texts, it seems that only an doubled in the last 25 years, from 40 million km foundation-conservation-study-web-ready.pdf investment of the States concerned, and a mobiliza- in 1990 to 75 million km2 in 2014.

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the expert’s eye : LARS LØVOLD

Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN) maintain forest cover than other management models. is one of the world’s leading orga- This is not surprising. Even though forest management nizations in the field of rights-based based on the rights of forest-dependent peoples is not rainforest protection. It shares origin with the Rainforest Foun- without challenges, these communities have a vested in- dations in the UK and the US, although they all are independent terest in protecting their forests. They have the potential organizations. RFN collaborates closely with more than 70 local to provide a first line defense against deforestation, but and national environmental, indigenous and human rights orga- their forests and traditional practices are under threat. nizations in 11 countries in the Amazon region, Central Africa, They cannot do the job alone, and need support from Southeast Asia and Oceania. It supports indigenous peoples and other actors, including the state and the broader inter- traditional populations of the world’s rainforests in their effort national community. to protect their environment and fulfill their rights. This support would entail taking a rights-based approach to forest protection. Forest dependent com- The world’s tropical forests are shrinking at an alarming munities with customary rights to land should have rate. Each year an area the size of Greece is lost. This has these rights formally recognized. Also, they must be enormous consequences for all life on Earth, as these fo- acknowledged as partners in forest management, which rests contribute to regulating the global and local climate, means they should have powerful seats at the table are central for our food supply and house the majority when plans and decisions are made that affect their of the planet’s biological and cultural diversity. Through forest areas, as well as a major role in the management the last decades, warnings have sounded from commu- of those forests. The right to free, prior and informed nities in the Amazon in consent must be res- the west – via the world’s pected. We strongly be- second largest rainforest The urgent need for lieve that a rights-based in the Congo Basin – to approach provides the the forests of Indonesia people-centered forest best framework for and New Guinea in the achieving the double east: The consequence aim of protecting the of forest destruction not conservation world’s valuable rain- only means irreversible climate change and irreparable forests and securing the rights and livelihoods of the loss of biological diversity, but also the loss of life support millions of people depending on them. systems humans depend on. Rainforest destruction is not inevitable. But the Our experience shows us that that the peoples trends driving deforestation are complex and hard to who over generations have developed their cultures and curb. There is an urgent need to find better approaches societies in interaction with the highly complex yet vulne- to halt deforestation and forest degradation than the rable rainforest ecosystems, are best placed to protect outdated model of strict conservation, which may still the forests. But they are also those who are hardest hit – even today – entail the expulsion of traditional forest in conflicts over the use of the rainforest’s resources. communities. Local communities in tropical forest re- For forest dependent communities, deforestation and gions cannot alone bear the cost of protection of the forest degradation - be it from logging, infrastructure ecosystems we all depend on. Policies and measures must development, mining or agricultural expansion - means follow a double track approach. On the one hand, the loss of livelihood and increased poverty. This is also driving forces behind deforestation need to be addressed, often the result when such communities are forcibly and on the other there is an urgent need to implement evicted from national parks and conservation areas. positive measures at scale, facilitating the involvement Rather than seeing people living in and of the forests as of forest peoples themselves in forest protection and A Dukha kid in her Ortz (traditional tent) in the Taiga near Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia a hindrance to either development or conservation, they rewarding those who protect and manage the forest in should be seen as the solution. An increasing amount a sustainable way. of evidence shows how forests managed by forest based communities and indigenous peoples more effectively

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few kilometers from the the Ministry of the Environment and Meager compensation be able to carry out their activities Russian border, in the supported by the local NGO Mongol It is easy to imagine how the rela- on their lands. Mongolian taiga, a group Ecology Center, raises funds from tions between these eco-guards of 250 reindeer herders private donors and formalized a employed by the state and the Towards a new status? Apreserve their traditions and partnership with Yosemite National Dukha, who have lived on these Recently, Mongolia has taken a step choose to live like their ancestors. Park. These donors gathered under lands for hundreds of years, qui- forward by adopting a new law4 on The Dukha people are closer to the the “Rally for Rangers” initiative. ckly became tense. In 2014, the the preservation of cultural heritage, Scandinavian and Russian Sami Their credo is to organize rallies of Mongolian government heard the paving the way for protected cultural than to the Mongols of the steppe, motorcycles in the American nature Dukha’s complaints and took ac- areas that could be managed by lo- who live in mountainous noma- to finance the purchase of motor- tion: a “government wage” of $ 70 cal communities and help preserve dic yurts. They move their tipis as cycles for the guards of Mongolian per person is now paid to them each their unique traditions. But the law they migrate into the taiga, the nature, all to protect the environ- month. A meager compensation is not yet in force, and the Dukha only environment favorable to their ment. “Rally for Rangers” promotes when one considers that the park are unaware of its existence. Many reindeer, who fear the heat of the the shamanic culture of the Dukha, deprives them of their entire live- challenges are still to be met for this valleys. They do not farm or breed, even while this culture is threatened lihood, as well as their cultural he- small group of nomads busy with they herd reindeers, which they do with extinction by the project itself, ritage – in other words, everything surviving in their corner of the taiga. not eat and use only for milk and since the park deprives them of food that makes them Dukha. This salary transhumance. These fundamental to hunt, wood to build their teepees, does not compensate for the loss 4 Law of Mongolia, Law on the protection of differences make them a distinct pastures for their reindeer and ac- of their freedom, claim the Dukha, cultural heritage, 2014 https://www.unodc. org/res/cld/document/mng/law-on-the-pro- ethnic group, with their own cus- cess to the sacred places where they who wish to see their traditional tection-of-cultural-heritage_html/Cultural_ toms and language. honor their ancestors. property rights recognized and to Heritage_Law_eng.pdf

From hunters to poachers Relations with the Mongolian state CASE 1 / MONGOLIA were initially positive, say the Dukha traditional camps inside the Tengis-Shishged Dukha. Recognized for their great Tengis-Shishged National Park knowledge of the taiga and their National Park, Mongolia hunting skills, they were quickly hired as “state hunters” by the Mon- golian communist government and gis Boreal forest and in this way found their place in a Ten productivist and utilitarian system. y But this status has been withdrawn lta Burga since the fall of communism. The reindeer herders Tengis-Shishged situation deteriorated rapidly: wit- National Park hout any place in society, the only reindeer herders from Mongolia, the Sh Dukha are marginalized. arga Lake Hovsgol Ha Today it is the creation of a r B National Park y a s ra i n g protected area that could threaten n Te their survival. Mongolia owes its Shishged Targan economic boom to the mining in- Elevation Dukha traditional camps dustry in recent years, propelling Metres a.s.l location before the park 3 000 establishment Tsagaannuur it to the status of a middle-income 2 800 Summer country like China or Indonesia. But 2 600 Spring N O it also owes its economic growth the 2 400 Autumn I S Ma Winter S rla degradation of its environment and 2 200 E Ived R the land ravaged in the exploitation 2 000 P og E Protected areas H D of the subsoil. The Tengis Shishged 1 800 Renchinlhumbe D National Park A National Park, created in 2012, aims 1 600 H Strictly protected area K to preserve this fragile biodiversity. 1 400 R Soyo A It obeys the Mongolian laws: prohi- 0 15 30 Km D Khoridal Saridag Strictly Protected Area bition of hunting, fishing, cutting Source: direct information with Dukha people during a workshop in Tsagaan Nuur, 2011; WWF Mongolia, Web-GIS; NASA. wood, limited travel. The park, run by

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CASE 2 / Itombwe Nature Reserve, Democratic Republic of Congo Towards a new model of conservation?

n one of the wildest forests of the world, in a region drained by conflicts, local communities Itombwe Nature Reserve between people, have decided to stand up for their resources and con icts Bukavu RWANDA Irights against the decision to set upIkozi Walungu a protected area on their land, pro- Lubongola Kimbili Lubimbe Gweshe Nyangezi claiming, “Forest conservation will Muta Matele Walungu Ciherano be done with us, or it won’t happen”. Kamanyola Nzovu Lubarika From initial distress to BURUNDI Kitwabaluzi an inclusive approach Mulungu definition of the reserve’s limits and managed? While the Ministry is the livelihoods, they started engaging Kasika Kalama In 2006, supported by the World Bizinzo management, based on consul- only institution in DRC permitted to in forest-consuming activities, Kalami Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the World Migaba tation and participatory mapping manage a protected area, the Bam- mainly agriculture and artisanal Conservation Society (WCS), the Mwenga Lemera approaches. buti are keen to manage this forest mining. Acknowledging this issue, Ministry of Environment of the De- Sange themselves taking advantage of the communities would like to see mocratic Republic of Congo unila- Kamituga Participatory mapping of their traditional knowledge. Howe- more development projects pro- terally created the Itombwe Natural the reserve’s limits ver, the Congolese law revised in moted in addition to the transfer Niamibongo Ngusa Reserve. Worried about losing their Initially Itombwe was a square of 2014 still does not formally include of the reserve management. Ac- traditional lands, the Bambuti – Kitutu 15,000 km2, with borders that re- the possibility of community-based cording to the current members the local tribal name for pygmies sembled Africa’s national boun- reserve management. Civil society of the Joint Framework, this would Miki Uvira – decided to voice their concerns. Kitopo daries. This area, which was calls for arrangements with the mean involving other internatio- Mandja “We did not want our forest to be- delineated on paper rather than in government to let Itombwe fully nal NGOs who could bring their Kalundu long to the state”, they say. The the field, made very little sense on develop into a community-based expertise and pledge substantial protests soon reached a high level Itula the ground. It took 6 years to agree protected area, while conservation development funds in the area. The of intensity and the Reserve pro- on the new limits of the Itombwe organizations seem to promote Itombwe Joint Framework would Luemba ject stalled. In 2008 community Kipupu reserve, now covering 5,732 km2. co-management as a solution. then bring together communities, representatives, civil society orga- Equipped with GPS and trained The presence of Banro, a Cana- government, indigenous peoples’ Mboko nizations, government and conser- Mboko in mapping techniques, the local dian gold-mining company retai- rights organizations, conservation vation organizations gathered in communities themselves identified ning exploration permits within the organizations, and development Nundu a workshop to start a dialogue. key biodiversity hotspots as well as reserve, will also need to be re- organizations around a shared sus- The Congolese Institute of Nature their traditional activities in order viewed to implement a sustainable tainable development and conser- Conservation (Ministry of Envi- Minembwe to define the protected area’s bor- management plan. vation project. ronment), WWF, WCS, Rainforest ders. Based on this participatory While heavy challenges still Foundation Norway and its local Itombwe Natural Reserve Resources mapping work, a new decree was Development issues and need to be seriously addressed, the Initial boundaries Artisanal mining partner Africapacity (a civil society established in 2006 Malambo (animals Baraka ratified in 2016 to establish the re- solutions ahead Itombwe experience prefigures a organization defending IPs rights), Boundaries resulted breeding areas in the serve’s boundaries. Despite these efforts, the Itombwe change in the conservation pattern from participatory forest) decided to form the Itombwe Joint process, 2015 Congolese Army presence area remains a daous place, with in Central Africa, setting indige- DEMOCRATIC Framework. Joining forces in order Villages in the Sector REPUBLIC OF Next steps: Defining a manage- many militias hiding in its most nous people back at the center of Itombwe reserve area THE ONGO to find compromises as never be- Regiment C ment plan remote areas. Many pygmies had to their ecosystem as major players, Armed groups Fizi fore in DRC and in Central Africa, Battalion This official establishment will open leave the deep forest in the moun- recognizing their traditional rights Area under the Sources: Africapacity, WWF and WCS, 2016; the different actors developed a in uence of UN MONUSCO 2015; Christoph Vogel 2015; a new chapter in Itombwe’s story: tains and have migrated towards and enabling their ownership of armed groups recherché sur terrain conduit en 2016 common work plan towards a new how will the redefined reserve be the valleys: far away from their the forest.

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Likan Antai, indigenous people in the desert between mining and tourism El Tatio Machuca Matancilla C HILE Rio Grande B OLIVIA San Bartolo CALAMA

Catarpe Quitor Los Flamencos San Pedro de Atacama Los Flamencos (Sector 6) (Sector 1) Coyo Yayé Valle de la Luna A RGENTINA Toconao SIERRA Los Flamencos Alitar GORDA (Sector 4) Aguas Blancas Los Flamencos Talabre (Sector 2) Tumbre Salar de Los Flamencos Soncor Quisquyra (Sector 5) Camar Salar de Aguas Calientes

Salar de Socaire Atacama Los Flamencos Peine (Sector 3) Population Tilopazo City, village or settlement Tilomonte Indigenous community Protected areas Los Flamencos National Reserve Natural protected area Salar de CASE 3 / Talar Mining activity ANTOFAGASTA Processing plant Los Flamencos National Reserve, Chile Mine

0 25 50 Kilometres Negotiators in the desert Source: SERNAGEOMIN, Atlas des faenas mineras, 2011; CONAF and CONADI, 2016

he desert of Atacama, a their strategy: adaptation. While Tourism: a double-edged sword association to collect and redis- infinite wilderness, calm, and the the Lickan Antai do not consume it high plateau in northern their lands are coveted by geother- A quarter of a century later, Los tribute the income they receive wonders of nature in the heart of themselves, they are nevertheless Chile, is best known for its mal companies, a NASA observa- Flamencos is the first case in Chile through the reserve. While some a vast desert…which is, according forbidden to sell their vegetables vast desert of salt and pink tory, hotel complexes, or the copper of co-management of a protected rejoice in these benefits, others de- to them, completely uninhabited. and the products of their breeding Tflamingos, than it is for the people industry, they negotiate their inte- area by the state and an indigenous plore the uncontrolled tourism and practice to preserve the health of who have lived there for 12,000 rests with all these players. people. It is seen by both sides the installation of agencies that Water management, the key to the Reserve’s travelers and hikers. years. How has a people lived for so In 1990, when the Govern- as a strategic alliance that allows disrespect their customs and with their survival Gathered in the Atacaman Council, many years in the heart of the most ment of Chile established the Los everyone to better preserve the which relations remain difficult. -To The explosion of tourism has also they are currently negotiating to arid desert in the world? The Lickan Flamencos National Reserve, local environment. The reserve is such day, the small town of San Pedro de weakened the water situation of obtain compensation and assis- Antai divide themselves into groups communities saw a series of go- a success that it is Chile’s second Atacama is a succession of hotels, the Likan Antai, which is already tance, as well as to benefit more around small oases and are, against vernment officials in charge of in- most visited protected area, attrac- restaurants, bars, souvenir shops critical because of intensive mi- directly from tourism through en- all odds, farmers and breeders. troducing new rules, charging entry ting more than 300,000 tourists and tourist agencies. An artificial ning in the region, aggravated by trepreneurship. admission fees, and managing their a year. But feelings remain mixed paradise for backpackers, with not the hundreds of hotels that have A people of negotiators territory. Benefiting from a policy within the community about the a local resident on site. The nights been built there. The water that the 5 Urinary arsenic speciation profile in ethnic The dictatorship of Augusto Pino- in favour of indigenous peoples, benefits of this influx. The co-ma- are festive, the restaurants offer community currently uses passes group of the Atacama desert (Chile) exposed to variable arsenic levels in drinking water, chet (1973-1990) and the develop- the lack of human and financial re- nagement has certainly given the international cuisine, and the wiser through a salt pit. This means that Journal of Environmental Science and Health, ment of the mining and tourism sources of the state, and a national Lickan Antai an opening towards travelers rest there before trekking it reaches them in a highly salinized January 2015 https://www.researchgate.net/ industries changed the face of the law guaranteeing their rights, the entrepreneurship, employment op- to discover the geysers and the state, but also laden with more or publication/269115116_Urinary_arsenic_ speciation_profile_in_ethnic_group_of_ Atacama territory. Faced with new Lickan Antai negotiated the co-ma- portunities and training. The com- pink flamingos of the Salar. The less toxic minerals, including arse- the_Atacama_desert_Chile_exposed_to_ challenges, the Lickan Antai chose nagement of the area. munities have set up a non-profit rhetoric of the agencies is clear: nic5. While nothing is done so that variable_arsenic_levels_in_drinking_water

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CASE 4 / Ashaninka Territory, Brazil Securing a sustainable forest future in lawless borderlands

s soon as their territory Kampa do Rio Amônia. In the de- Threats was formally recognized cades before the territory was At first sight, Apiwtxa appears to be and demarcated, the established, the Ashaninka were a peaceful green oasis. Beneath the Ashaninka of the Amônia under severe pressure. Many li- surface lies a different reality. Large ARiver in Brazil were faced with a new ved in slave-like conditions and areas of the border are controlled by challenge: to sustainably manage acquired large debts to external violent gangs smuggling drugs and the forest and secure their way of patrons who came to exploit rubber illegal timber. In late 2014 four Peru- life for future generations. and other resources. vian Ashaninka leaders were killed “We have valuable trees in our Since then, the Ashaninka by smugglers, and among them was forest which could be harvested for have recovered territory and the well-known activist Edwin Chota. income in the short term. But what community’s resource base, and He was a frequent guest in Apiwtxa, would it lead to for the young, the have developed advanced, com- as the Ashaninka in Brazil have new generations of Ashaninka, if prehensive management plans close links to those on the Peru- we destroy the forest? It will be with considerations for the future. vian side. Several Apiwtxa leaders degraded and slowly die. In the In the village pond, they farm fish have also received death threats, future people could not live like and breed tortoises. This provi- and cannot move alone outside the we do”, explains Benki Piyãko, an des food, but has also allowed the village. In their struggle for forest Apiwtxa leader. Ashaninka to restore the tortoise preservation and a better future, 15 years have gone by since population in the rivers after it had they are perceived as a threat by the Ashaninka of the Amônia River nearly vanished. those wanting this area to remain had their territorial rights formally Komãyari Ashaninka, one of a lawless borderland. “We have to recognized. They now control 87,571 the village teachers, explains how learn from what has been achieved hectares in the Brazilian state of the Ashaninka have replanted the in Apiwtxa, and help neighboring Acre, along the border with Peru. forest which was destroyed by the communities establish sustainable This victory came after many years rubber investors, using local va- management of their lands. We will of struggle, but major challenges rieties and setting aside zones for never be safe in our village as long still remain. One is managing the the species the community needs as the surrounding areas are un- territory to support the growing the most. In the gardens, a combi- safe”, concludes Benki Piyãko. Ashaninka population and their nation of old knowledge and new The development of manage- needs for health, education and im- methods is used to increase the ment plans for indigenous territo- proved living conditions. The other yields, both in terms of quantity ries, which take into account the is coping with outside threats, from and diversity of the families’ crops. relationships with external actors smugglers to the illegal loggers The use of forestry agents – in- and neighboring territories, and controlling much of this area. digenous people trained by NGO address threats, resource use and Comissão Pró-Índio do Acre (CPI) conservation efforts in a holistic The tortoises are back or the government – has played a manner is one of the main goals Traditionally the Ashaninka used key role in establishing sustainable for Rainforest Foundation Norway’s an area far larger than what is community forestry and agricultu- work in the region. now their territory, Terra Indígena ral practices. Text: Rainforest Foundation Norway

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On both sides: Indigenous communities along the Peru-Brazil border

CASE 5 / Corridor of Pano and Arawak, Peru

Port Walter Tarauacá Feijo Parque Protecting the lands Nacional da Serra do BRAZIL Divisor PERU BOLIVIA of indigenous peoples BRAZ I L

Santa Rosa living in isolation do Purus Breu Jordão Reserva extrativista Cazumba-Iracema

n the border area of western Unidentified Indigenous Peoples Li- the rivers leading into the reserves, Nueva Italia Esperanza Brazil and southeastern Peru ving in Isolation and Initial Contact prevent people from entering, and Indigenous peoples there is a vast forest inhabited covers nearly 90,000 square kilo- collect evidence of indigenous MURUNAHUA Territorial reservation for by multiple groups of indigenous meters of tropical rainforest which peoples living in isolation within Reserva voluntarily isolated communities Comunal (Peru) Ipeople. Many of these groups live in is under the threat from oil and gas and around the reserve borders. Purus isolation, avoiding contact with the extraction, logging, infrastructure The posts were initially ma- Indigenous land (Brazil) MASHCO PIRO majority population and outsiders development and gold mining. For naged exclusively by the indigenous Community in territories not reserved Inapari entirely. Other groups, whether as isolated peoples, drug trafficking, peoples through their represen- Contiguous area with a consequence of coercion by out- evangelism, researchers and jour- tative organizations, but recently Parque Nacional documented presence of Alto Purus B O LIVI A isolated indigenous groups siders or a decision by the group, nalists also pose a considerable the Peruvian state has agreed to Iberia Control post for indigenous have recently begun initial contact threat, whether in the form of violent co-manage them. The indigenous KUGAPAKORI- territories protection with the majority population. encounters or epidemic diseases. communities living in territories NAHUA-NANTI This area is a mosaic of various The goal for such a corridor is which border or overlap areas in- Threats to the forest PER U MADRE DE DIOS and the communities legal categories, such as protec- to make the governments of Peru habited by peoples in isolation have Parque Nacional ted areas, national parks, logging and Brazil safeguard the isolated also taken measures to limit their Manu Logging concession concessions and indigenous terri- and recently contacted peoples li- own impact in these areas. This Oil extraction concession Santuario tories, each with its own objectives ving in the region. This would mean support from the local indigenous Nacional Illegal logging area Megantoni and standards of conservation or an end to extractive activities and communities surrounding the Cor- Road Puerto Maldonado use. The area has high ecological infrastructure projects in this area, ridor is a prerequisite to its success. Natural protected areas value, both for its biodiversity and as well as taking action against ille- National parks and strictly for containing the headwaters of gal logging, mining, drug trafficking Binational cooperation protected area, exploitation of natural resources is prohibited several important rivers, including and missionary and research activi- and advocacy Mazuko Lares Protected area, tributaries of the Amazon. ties in the Corridor. The corridor proposal is supported utilization of natural by organizations on both sides of resources is permitted Cusco Establishing a corridor Protecting their ‘brothers’ the border. Advocacy with relevant Marcapata Amazon forest area For the protection of both the iso- In the absence of protection efforts authorities is also binational. Nu-

lated and recently contacted in- from the authorities in Peru, the merous investigations have been Sources: Amazonian Network of Georeferenced digenous peoples, a network of indigenous peoples’ movement es- conducted, most of which have Socio-Environmental Information (RAISG). indigenous organizations6 on both tablished a system of vigilance and been compiled into a publication7 sides of the border has proposed control surrounding the territorial released in 2015, which presents to establish a ‘corridor’ integrating reserves for isolated communities. the Corridor in detail. Amongst the all the existing protected areas and This system was established with indigenous peoples themselves, territories, as well as some adjoining financial support from Rainforest collaboration has grown stronger areas. The proposed Territorial Cor- Foundation Norway, and consists over the last two years, and much in for resource management. These on indigenous peoples’ rights, ter- 7 See: Huertas Castillo, 2015: Territorial Corridor ridor of the Pano, Arawak and Other of seven watch-posts, located terms of territorial management has local experiences are the building ritorial integrity, strengthening of of the Panoan, Arawak and Other Indigenous in the villages of the indigenous been shared. Communities living in blocks for the management of the indigenous communities and orga- Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact. peoples neighboring the isolated the rivers Yurua, Breu and Amônia entire Corridor. Recently, the organizations, advocacy and the enga- A proposal by AIDESEP, ORAU, FENAMAD, 6 AIDESEP, ORAU, FENAMAD, COMARU, COMARU, CORPIAA and ORPIO: Platform of CORPIAA, ORPIO, CPI-AC, ACIH, ASPIRH, and recently contacted indigenous have been particularly engaged in nizations supporting the Corridor gement of relevant authorities. indigenous organizations protesting indige- AMAAIAC and OPIAC. peoples. The post personnel watch shared monitoring and joint plans validated a protection plan based Text: Rainforest Foundation Norway nous peoples in isolation and initial contact.

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An oasis for the Orang Rimba, sieged by oil palm plantations

Tebo

Bungo

Batang Hari Bukit Duabelas National Park

Merangin Sarolangun

Musi Banyu Asin

CASE 6 / Population Orang Rimba village Bukit Duabelas National Park, Indonesia Sarolangun Land use I NDONESIA National Park Oil palm plantation Musi Rawas Protecting the last lowland Source: elaborated from a map by Warsi rainforest in Sumatra

he Orang Rimba, or serve, but mapping done by Warsi Ministry of Forestry, stated that Rimba, as well as transmigration borders, the Orang Rimba were In addition, the surrounding “people of the forest”, are showed that the Orang Rimba who the Orang Rimba were entitled settlements and Malay villages. allowed to exploit resources accor- communities need viable econo- a group of semi-nomadic lived in this area depended mainly to live in the park in accordance These villagers also have claims ding to their traditions. mic alternatives to avoid encroach- forest dwellers living in the on natural resources in the forest with their traditions. This was the on the forest and natural resources ment. Therefore RFN has supported Tprovince of Jambi on the Indonesian stretching north from the nature first time in Indonesia that the pre- inside the park. All these elements, Buffer zones and viable small-scale development projects, island of Sumatra. In the 1980s and reserve. sence of forest people was formally and the increasing lack of avai- economic alternatives such as restoration of defunct 1990s, forest clearances in this area However, impending plans for acknowledged as legitimate within lable forestlands in Jambi province, Reduction of the forest area and rice paddies, the establishment threatened the entire Orang Rimba plantations presented an acute a conservation area. create a high pressure on the Bukit degradation caused by illegal log- of nurseries, and education and population with marginalization, threat to this forest, as well as to Duabelas National Park. ging has made it difficult, however, training in cloning high-yielding poverty and loss of their culture. In the Orang Rimba. Warsi started me- Traditional use versus A central element for the sus- for the Orang Rimba to maintain a rubber-plant seedlings. Warsi has 2000, the intervention and syste- dia campaigns and advocacy work encroachment tainability of Bukit Duabelas has fully traditional forest-based eco- also provided assistance in the matic efforts of a local organization, for the rights of the Orang Rimba, However, obtaining formal protec- therefore been to maintain sup- nomy. They also increasingly de- marketing of forest products, in- Warsi, with support from Rainforest and the plantation plans were can- tion proved to be the easier part. port for the national park from the pend on food from markets rather cluding rubber, to avoid excessive Foundation Norway (RFN), resulted celled. More importantly, the protec- Reducing outside pressure on the surrounding village communities than the forest, and therefore need profit-seeking on the part of local in the establishment of the first ted area was extended northwards, park in the form of illegal logging as and secure the forest in the buffer cash income. The main compensa- middlemen. national park in Indonesia allowing and in the process, its status was well as agricultural expansion into zone of the park. Dialogue between tional strategy has been to plant With these actions, incomes the presence of people. changed to a national park. the park area has been, and conti- the village communities, the Orang rubber, primarily in locations along could increase several times from The newly established Bukit nues to be, extremely challenging. Rimba and the relevant authori- the park boundary with access to the same amount of land, redu- A park for people Duabelas National Park covered The national park is surrounded by ties aimed at reaching agreement external transport infrastructure. cing the pressure on the remaining The area of the “twelve hills” (Bukit around 600 km2 of lowland rainfo- palm oil plantations established on on the final park boundaries took Rattan is also planted among the forest. Duabelas) was already a nature re- rest, and the decree, issued by the former ancestral lands of the Orang nearly ten years. Within the park’s rubber for crop diversification. Text: Rainforest Foundation Norway

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Indigenous peoples and protected areas in the French Guiana F RENCH G UIANA Awala-Yalimapo Mana territories, the means allocated to the park do not even suffice St-Laurent -du-Maroni Guyane Regional Natural to serve this principal mission. 10 Park Iracoubo years after the park’s inception, Sinnamary illegal gold mining remains present in Guiana, with more than 200 gold Apatou Kourou panning sites listed, and digging has even intensified in the area of Macouria the park. Around Kamopi, on the Cayenne Montsinery Loyapoc, only three police officers Remire-Montjoli Tonnegrande have been posted to combat this Saint-Élie Matoury threat: their power and capacity of Lucifer Dekou Roura action is so limited that some Ame- Forest Reserve Cacao rindians have taken up arms in or- Kaw Guyane der to defend themselves. “Today, Regional Natural nobody understands the role of the Park Regina GAP anymore,” laments Alexandre Grand Santi Ouanary Sommer, Secretary General of the Parc amazonien de Indigenous Nations Organization Parc Guyane Nouragues amazonien de of Guiana. Guyane

A political will to integrate St-Georges indigenous peoples within a state Papaichton that doesn’t recognize them Gilles Kleitz, Park Director since Maripasoula Saul BRAZIL CASE 7 / Guiana Amazonian 2014, asserts: “The GAP is at the disposal of the Amerindian way of SURINAME Main population groups Creoles Park, French Guiana life. It concerns the future of these Antecume Pata Maroons peoples.” “There seems to be good Mixed development in the park recently,” People engaged in placer mining When conservation confirms Alexandre Sommer, “The Camopi Indigenous peoples park supports some associative Teleuyu (Kali’na) activities, artisanship, eco-tou- Parc Wayana is not enough rism.” Indigenous representatives amazonien de Lokono Guyane can be found in the park’s Admi- (Bu er Zone) Pahikweneh Wayampi nistrative Council and Scientific Teko uiana Amazonian Park The disappointed hopes of Council, and local life committees Parc Hmong amazonien de (GAP) was created in a people given up on by the state have been set up. But to what end? Guyane Land use 2007 in French Guiana, The creation of the park gave rise “The GAP has laudable objectives, Protected area one of the country’s over- to great expectations: since the but in an unfavorable institutio- Bu er Zone Gseas departments. Proposed by 90s it was presented to Amerin- nal context,” attests Gilles Kleitz, Zone with right to the government and at first ea- dians as a bulwark against illegal “We attempt to mobilize commu- Trois Sauts collective use gerly awaited by the Amerindians gold miners who enter their terri- nities, but France isn’t used to, and BRAZIL Sources : Davy Damien et Filoche Geo roy, Un atlas des Zones de droits d’usage who today represent nearly 10,000 tories to strip it of its natural re- doesn’t have a strong capacity for collectifs en Guyane, 2014 ; Organisation Des Nations Autochtones De Guyane people in the department, the park sources. In an area with little state integrating indigenous questions.” appeared to be motivated by an presence, the park quickly came That France recognizes the pre- Permitting economic and social live only by hunting and fishing? Amerindians in a suicide rate in unprecedented political will to inte- to represent a potential solution sence of “communities of inha- development within the park We can’t blame the younger gene- the early 2000s 10 to 20 times hi- grate Amerindians in the manage- to a host of local problems: illegal bitants which traditionally draw – a question of survival ration for wanting to emancipate gher than that of young people in ment of their heritage for the first gold panning, lack of infrastruc- their means of subsistence from “Today, we are pushing the younger themselves. They could develop metropolitan France. If the park time. But the non-recognition of ture, unemployment… This proved the forest” is merely lip service: this generation to leave and study on eco-tourism initiatives, for example, works to bring solutions, it is diffi- the rights of these peoples at the far from the park’s role, however. definition ostensibly omits reco- the coast, but they have no pros- but this scares environmental as- cult to imagine that it alone could national level, and the limited mea- As a protected reserve, the aim of gnizing Amerindians as “a people” pects when they return,” explains sociations and is restricted within respond to the challenges faced by sures put in place by the state, are the park is above all to protect the and reduces them to their forestry Alexandre Sommer. “They have the park.” A serious problem in this ignored minority in the country still falling short of expectations. environment. And in such remote traditions. degrees and we expect them to Guiana, reflected among young of human rights.

RESERVED RESERVED RESERVED An Atlas on Indigenous Peoples facing Nature Conservation

Editor and texts: Marine Gauthier Cartography and photography: Riccardo Pravettoni Layout: Nina Hlacer

Texts, maps and photos were developed as part of the « Reserved! » project, which explores the relationships between indigenous peoples and nature conservation across a series of investigations and multimedia reporting. This project has been funded by the European Journalism Centre (EJC) via its Innovation In Development Reporting Grant Programme (www.journalismgrants.org).

Explore all of the « Reserved! » project reporting here: http:// journalismgrants.org/projects/ reserved

Photo credits: Johan Wildhagen (page 03), Ellen Hofsvang and Maria Guzman-Gallegos (page 20), RFN (page 24), Parc amazonien de Guyane - Guillaume Feuillet (page 25). Others: ©RESERVED!