Indigenous Lands Play a Key Part in Environmental Conservation
- Media Manager
- Nov 9, 2023
- 1 min read
One Green Planet
Written By: Trinity Sparke
Published: November 9th, 2023
Global biodiversity hotspots, encompassing a mere 2.4% of the Earth’s land, have seen over 80% of armed conflicts between 1950 and 2000, with some of these conflicts persisting today. Armed conflicts in these vital ecosystems, driven by various factors, have led to substantial biodiversity losses and threatened the indigenous ways of life. A recent study reveals that four-fifths of these armed conflicts within biodiversity hotspots occur on Indigenous lands. Surprisingly, these Indigenous territories have managed to maintain better ecological conditions than non-Indigenous conflict-affected lands. This study underscores the invaluable role of Indigenous peoples in environmental Conservation and emphasizes Indigenous self-determination as a key factor in both biodiversity protection and conflict prevention.
For centuries, Indigenous communities like the Karen people in Myanmar have nurtured a harmonious relationship with their environments. In the Karen’s case, their ancestral forests, nestled in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, have served as sanctuaries during the world’s longest-running armed conflict between the Karen National Union and the Myanmar military regime. These forests have provided refuge during military airstrikes and have allowed the Karen to preserve their biodiversity-rich territories.
Armed conflicts within biodiversity hotspots are not unique to Myanmar. Between 1950 and 2000, 90% of major armed conflicts occurred in countries boasting rich biodiversity. Over 80% of these conflicts resulted in significant biodiversity loss and environmental damage. A staggering four-fifths of these conflicts unfolded on Indigenous lands within biodiversity hotspots. Indigenous communities within these conflict zones have borne the brunt of indiscriminate killings, forced displacement, and cultural upheaval as their societies and economies face irrevocable transformations.
