Conservation fortress: the new face of western colonialism

Until a few decades ago, we would never have thought that two terms such as Colonialism and Conservation could be associated. Yet, nature conservation has increasingly taken on the guise of a colonialist phenomenon. This has led to the term ‘fortress conservation’.  This LM Talks speaks about the Western-style model of conservationism that targets indigenous and local populations, victims of the usurpation of their homeland.         
Romane Michon, expert on minorities and indigenous peoples and freelance journalist for Junction Press, gives us a brief but effective summary of the origins, the consequences and the possible solutions of an issue that has become increasingly urgent, due to a variety of factors. When we hear about nature protection and conservation, unconsciously we think of a benign and positive phenomenon for the natural habitat, the animal species and the local populations. However, there is a growing body of evidence and research showing that the western hand, instead of protecting, has destroyed and forced native peoples off their land, opening the door to tourism and purely economic activities.

Where do most indigenous people live?

According to the most recent report by the United Nations International Working Group on Indigenous Affairs, there are 370 million indigenous peoples worldwide, 88% of whom reside in Greenland, 80% in French Polynesia and 48% in Bolivia.        
The latest study by the international team of researchers at Charles Darwin University, published on Nature Sustainability, stated that worldwide, indigenous peoples manage a quarter of the territories. “One of the surprising findings of the study was the extent of land with strong links to indigenous peoples that has been little changed by development.” This demonstrates the potential that the presence of indigenous peoples can represent for the respect and development of the biodiversity of the territories inhabited by them. Among the few exemplary policies, Australia holds the record: according to one author of the above study, “almost half of all protected areas are owned and managed by indigenous peoples. The coincidence of indigenous peoples’ interests and conservation is a cornerstone of Australian conservation policy”.
Following a purely capitalist mindset aimed at increasing tourism flows, the notion has developed that any human activity in protected areas poses a risk, without thinking through the real consequences of removing indigenous peoples and their activities. This concept – absolutely generalist and detached from the realities of local populations – has been called “fortress conservation”. A striking example is Yellowstone National Park in the USA, founded in 1872. Today, the park covers 9,000 square kilometres and, having been proclaimed a National Park in 2019, is no longer accessible to indigenous peoples.   
The state of backwardness regarding the protection of indigenous peoples is also demonstrated by the date of the only legal regulation that protects the rights of these peoples: the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, only approved in 2007. This legal instrument proclaims the rights of indigenous peoples; for example, Article 10 stipulates the need to obtain their “free, prior and informed consent” in all matters concerning their territories. Whether it is for the exploitation of mineral resources on their lands or for the creation of national parks for nature conservation, their consent must therefore be respected.       
Fortunately, and thanks to the advocacy of indigenous rights NGOs, awareness is growing and efforts are being made to establish a method of nature conservation in line with the rights of indigenous peoples. Indeed, there is a need to create a framework that allows these custodians of nature to be part of the decision-making process and to contribute to nature conservation. For example, at the World Wildlife Congress organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which we discussed in this LM Talks, 1400 representatives including governmental and non-governmental organisations, members of civil society, indigenous local communities and researchers attended.
Large Movements makes an appeal: it is time to realise that the Western concept of society that has emerged since the industrial revolution represents a great risk to nature, following an utilitarian approach.
We should instead take an example from the indigenous peoples, because they are still inextricably linked to nature and fight with all their might for its preservation and conservation. The international community, therefore, must begin to involve the indigenous peoples directly and actively in the increasingly debates about the effects of climate change and the solutions to stop this state of natural erosion.

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https://www.amicidellanatura.it/la-conservazione-fortezza/ https://www.statista.com/chart/18981/countries-with-the-largest-share-of-indigenous-people/

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