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.
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.
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