Bamba and Bakonjo are two indigenous groups who live in the mountainous area of Bundibugyo District. They were evicted from their land with the creation of the Rwenzori National Park, which has prevented them from accessing many economically and culturally significant areas. Photo credit: ComplexMania
Category: Conservation
Conservation goes unrecognized as likely the greatest source of land alienation in the territories of indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples are widely praised for their stewardship of land, water and natural resources such as forests and wildlife. The Global North seeks more forest cover for climate change mitigation and carbon emissions offset, and pristine landscapes and exotic fauna for tourism and trophy hunting. It cannot produce these in its own territories due to well-protected property rights and greatly reduced wildlife diversity. Hence undue pressure arises on the Global South to compensate with their land and natural resources and indigenous peoples tend to pay the highest price.
Basongora & Bakonjo vs. Queen Elizabeth National Park
Batwa are often called the “Keepers of the Forest” and are one of Africa’s oldest surviving indigenous Basongora are a pastoralist community living in the western lowlands in Uganda and were evicted from their land in 1952 to allow for the creation of Queen Elizabeth National Park. They continue to face human rights violations today. Photo…
Batwa vs. Land Grabbing in Uganda
Batwa are often called the “Keepers of the Forest” and are one of Africa’s oldest surviving indigenous communities.
The Benet
The Benet people are an indigenous community from Mount Elgon in Eastern Uganda that have faced numerous human rights abuses as a result of the increased protection of the Mount Elgon National Park.
Ik vs. Kidepo Valley National Park
Due to pressures of conservation, ecotourism, and other neighboring pastoralist communities, the Ik’s lifestyle and culture are being threatened. (Photo: Realm Africa)
Karamojong vs. Land Grabbing
Karamojong pastoralists are an impoverished, historically marginalized group without political representation. They have suffered in the past from land grabs for conservation by the government. Open grazing land is dwindling and their entire way of life is at risk. Today, government officials seek to abolish pastoralism in the region.
Mbuti vs. Virunga National Park
Like Basongora in Uganda and other Batwa groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, many indigenous Mbuti face discrimination and landlessness after eviction from their ancestral land due to “militarized conservation.” Photo credit: Michael Christopher Brown
Baka vs. Nki National Park
Traditions and practices, such as hunting and fishing, are being lost, as landless Baka now must live outside of their ancestral home. Conservation and development now threaten their entire way of life. Photo credit: The Guardian.
Life of Batwa in Burundi
Batwa in Burundi, as elsewhere in the region, account for just one percent of the total population. Like other Batwa, they are viewed as inferior, and many live in poor conditions and face discrimination. Photo Credit: Mario Rizzolio (UN)
Basarwa/San vs. Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Basarwa/San are hunter-gatherers indigenous to southern Africa, traditionally living in the Kalahari Desert and Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Although the reserve was given to the group in the 1960’s, the Botswana government has forced them out over time to pursue mining development and tourism there instead. Photo Credit: SI