Thematic keynote presentation: protecting biodiversity and indigenous peoples' and local communities' rights: the challenge in Southeast Asia
2003
Ferrari, M.F. (Theme on Indigenous Peoples/Local Communities, Equity, and Protected Areas, B-4-4 Taman Desa Relau, Lebuh Relau 2, 11900 Penang (Malaysia))
The Theme on Indigenous Peoples/Local Communities, Equity, and Protected Areas (TILCEPA) was set up to provide guidance and learning on the new thrust towards participatory, and equitable conservation of biodiversity. One of TILCEPA's activities in preparation for the 5th World Parks Congress (WPC) was to carry out several regional studies between August to Dec 2002, in order to a) broadly investigate and assess the extent and status of territories and biodiversity conserved through customary practices or new arrangements (i.e., Community Conserved Areas or CCAs) by indigenous and local communities and the extent to which these communities effectively participate and take action in state-declared protected areas (PAs); and b) identify key lessons, issues, needs, challenges and options for regional empowerment towards more equitable relationships between indigenous and local communities and PAs. The research project employed questionaires, interviews and field visits. It highlighted that in several Southeast Asian countries, indigenous peoples and local communities have been active in maintaining and establishing new CCAs, sometimes on their own but often with the support of NGOs or as joint management with government departments. Responsible government agencies are increasingly becoming receptive to local peoples' initiatives in certain countries of the region. However, several critical issues and challenges related to equitable processes in biodiversity conservation were pointed out. Among others are the need to a) accord a much higher level of respect to traditional knowledge and indigenous management systems; b) support indigenous peoples' and local communities' rights in order to address the unequal power relations between local communities and the government-business sector; c) generate political will and capacity building to recognize the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities in biodiversity and PAs; d) encourage the development of national policies, laws and institutions that support and strengthen community-based biodiversity management and conservation; e) critically analyze participatory approaches in resource management; f) address participation of indigenous peoples' and local communities in biodiversity policy making and, g) address the technical, moral, political and financial needs required to build and strengthen capacity for community development. The paper specifies a number of recommendations for the WPC to consider in order to address the abovementioned weaknesses and challenges
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]