80%
of the world’s remaining biodiversity is currently protected by Indigenous Peoples
At least 25%
of the carbon stored by all the world’s tropical and subtropical forests falls under the stewardship of Indigenous Peoples
Three times
Indigenous Peoples are nearly three times as likely to be living in extreme poverty
Why is local knowledge so intrinsic to nature protection?
No matter where we live in the world, nature is a precious resource which we rely on daily; for clothing, food, housing and even the air we breathe. For those of us living closest to highly biodiverse areas, in and around rainforests, or next to the coast, our intrinsic dependence nature – and the importance of protecting it – is impossible to forget.
An estimated 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity is currently protected by Indigenous Peoples, whose identities, culture, livelihoods, health and spiritual well-being are inseparable from their land and the natural resources it provides. Their ancestral knowledge and first-hand experience of using nature sustainably are invaluable.
Unique local knowledge and values
© Edy Susanto / Fauna & Flora
Forest ancestors
In Sumatra, Indonesia, the Indigenous Peoples of Raden Anom village, which borders Kerinci Seblat National Park, have been bound to the forest for generations. They have strong spiritual beliefs that their ancestors live in the forests, and are dedicated to protecting it. The community also economically benefits from protecting the forest through an ecosystem services scheme, where sustainably harvested forest products are sold to local businesses.
© ERA / FFI
Brave botany
Melvin Smith is a local botanist in St Lucia who uses his specialist knowledge of rare plants to help protect endangered species like the pencil cedar. Melvin is known to have climbed Petit Piton – a 800m-high volcanic spire and home of the last 80 mature pencil cedars left in the wild – to collect seeds for propagation.
© Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora
Crocodile guardians
In the Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia, some members of the Fauna & Flora Siamese crocodile community warden team are Indigenous Chorng people. Siamese crocodiles have deep cultural significance to the Chorng people, which has led to their protection in this part of Cambodia – whilst the species has disappeared from most other places.
© Fauna & Flora
Langur hunter turned protector
Le Van Hien grew up next to Kim Bang forest, Vietnam, home to the critically endangered Delacour’s langur. Mr Hien once led a team of trappers and hunters and built a strong understanding of the difficult forest terrain. In a change of heart, he is now dedicated to conserving the langur, using his unique knowledge of the landscape and location of the species to inform scientists of its behaviour and activities.
© Andhy Priyo Sayogo / Fauna & Flora
Wildlife guardian of Papua
Maurits Kafiar grew up as part of an Indigenous tribe in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. His desire to learn about Indonesia’s landscape and wildlife led him to become one of the leading birdwatching guides in West Papua. His natural affinity for storytelling has inspired many communities to help protect Papua’s incredible biodiversity.
The forested landscapes that collectively fall under the stewardship of Indigenous Peoples, and those communities living locally to forest areas, are thought to hold at least 25% of the carbon stored by all the world’s tropical and subtropical forests.
With so much of nature in their hands, we have good reason, as well as a strong moral imperative, to ensure that those living on the front line of biodiversity conservation – and the rights of those people – are central to any discussions and decisions about the future of our planet’s life-support systems.
The protection and restoration of nature will be effective in the long term only if it is delivered by, or in close collaboration with, those who live closest to it.
What rights do Indigenous Peoples and local communities have?
Indigenous Peoples have historically and continue to face threats to their land rights, particularly from activities such as resource extraction, large-scale agriculture and conservation projects. In recent years, some of the biggest names in global wildlife conservation have been accused of neo-colonialism and ignoring human rights in the course of their activities.
But the question of Indigenous and local community rights is gaining greater traction in the public consciousness. That wider awareness has even permeated the minds of global decision-makers seated around the conference tables – in 2017, the General Assembly adopted a resolution to engage Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations.
Ambitious global goals – not least the aim to set aside 30% of the world’s land and sea for nature by the end of the decade – must not be realised at the expense of human rights. This fundamental principle was openly acknowledged at COP15, the global biodiversity conference held in Montreal in December 2022. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which 196 countries agreed to adopt, put local rights front and centre for the first time; a move widely welcomed by the conservation sector.
© Bjorn Olesen
What does a community-led conservation model look like?
The communities protecting Liberia’s forests
In Liberia, there are a number of forests that are extremely important for carbon storage, biodiversity conservation and community well-being, and REDD+ offers a mechanism for ensuring that these important forests are protected – but this conservation mechanism must be delivered equitably.
REDD+ is a conservation mechanism designed to reward governments and communities for keeping their forests standing and intact, but without robust community involvement in decision-making – including clarity of land tenure rights and free, prior and informed consent from those affected – many issues will arise.
Fauna & Flora is working with local Liberian partners to develop REDD+ project sites, supporting forest governance, and ensuring that communities within and surrounding the parks are able to meaningfully engage in protected area management and conservation.
© Christian Cooper / Fauna & Flora
Traditional leaders in Sapo National Park, Liberia. From left to right: Chief Emmanuel S. Wesseh, Victoria M. Seebae of Palatroken Nelson and Kieh of Shadee Town.
Protecting São Tomé and Príncipe’s marine life
Found in a remote location in the Gulf of Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe is a biodiversity hotspot with many species found nowhere else in the world. But overfishing and destructive fishing practices are contributing to the rapid decline of fish stocks and degradation of marine ecosystems in the ocean surrounding the islands. This is not only a threat to biodiversity, and the carbon sequestered in the marine habitats, but is severely damaging to the livelihoods of local fishing communities who are heavily reliant on marine resources.
To address these challenges – and find benefits for people, nature and the climate – Fauna & Flora is working with partners on the islands to engage with local stakeholders, including government and coastal communities, to promote sustainable use of marine resources through the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs). These MPAs are helping to recover fish stocks and the health of the marine ecosystem and will – ultimately – be managed by communities for communities.
© Estrela Matilde / Fundação Príncipe
Manuel da Graça Sacramento Gomes, or 'Lindo', was born and raised on the island of Príncipe. He used to poach and sell sea turtles to earn extra income, but in 2007 visiting research scientists hired Lindo to help with their research, and over time he developed an urge to protect the turtles. Lindo now plays a key role in marine protection in Príncipe.
Our elders live in the forest, so if the forest is cleared, where will they live?
Muhammed Sapar
Head of customary forest management and member of the Indigenous Forest Customary Institution, Indonesia.
Our elders live in the forest, so if the forest is cleared, where will they live?
Muhammed Sapar
Head of customary forest management and member of the Indigenous Forest Customary Institution, Indonesia.
How do we ensure that conservation is locally managed?
There is still a long way to travel down the road to genuinely equitable dialogue between Indigenous Peoples, local communities and the conservation sector. Global governments, the private sector and decision-makers must also do more to ensure that the protection of the planet’s life-support systems is managed by those who know how best to protect them.
Read more about Fauna & Flora’s partnership-led approach to conservation.
You can support nature's champions now
By supporting Fauna & Flora’s work, you can fund locally led conservation now – we work with local partners and communities in 48 countries and 90% of donations go directly to conservation efforts on the ground, led by those living closest to nature.
DonatePeter Esegon, one of the rhino caretakers, watches over Najin, one of the last two Northern white rhinos, as she naps in her holding area at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Central Kenya. © Justin Mott / Kindred Guardians Project / We Animals Media
