Tropical ecosystems are home to a stunning array of plants and animals, and provide vital benefits including water provision, climate regulation, and carbon storage. They also provide direct life support for some of the... [ view full abstract ]
Tropical ecosystems are home to a stunning array of plants and animals, and provide vital benefits including water provision, climate regulation, and carbon storage. They also provide direct life support for some of the planet’s most vulnerable human populations--some fighting for their very survival in lawless regions. The two social groups featured in this panel discussion are an indigenous tribe in the Brazilian Amazon protecting a huge tract of rainforest from illegal logging and gold mining, and pastoralists in the deserts of Mali taking control of resource management and countering poachers to protect a threatened elephant population. In both cases, powerful outside forces threaten to destroy an ancient way of life and vital natural ecosystems.
The Kayapó territories in Brazil, occupied by 8000+ Kayapó people, are vast enough to protect healthy populations of all native species. Yet without the Kayapo, this forest would be gone. The Kayapó have fiercely protected their land for generations, but face increased pressure. Support from international conservation organizations has been crucial in enabling the Kayapo to prevent widespread invasions of Kayapó lands by illegal loggers, goldminers and ranchers. ICFC and partners have helped develop culturally compatible economic activities that reduce the pressure to accept cash for unsustainable activities. We also support the Kayapo as they advocate for their rights alongside other indigenous peoples in Brazil.
In Mali, an endangered elephant population owes its survival to the Mali Elephant Project and to the involvement of local communities. The project’s grassroots approach brings together communities led by elders and clan leaders to enact rules for management of natural resources in a way that respects elephants. Patrols of young men (Brigades de Surveillance, numbering 672) work alongside government foresters to enforce rules, guard elephant habitat, deter poaching, and maintain hundreds of kilometers of firebreaks. These activities have been vital as the security situation worsened in recent years, with increased attacks by jihadists and armed groups. We have fostered sustainable economic activities by training 237 women in good livestock practices and the cultivation of vetiver grass.
These two large and long-term projects have many commonalities despite their different settings (African drylands and Amazonian forest) and cultures (pastoral people and indigenous people). Both projects are succeeding in challenging circumstances. Our thoughts on why this is the case will be presented and discussed.
Ecosystem: Desert , Ecosystem: Forest , Resources: Wildlife , Big Issues: Indigenous peoples , Solutions: Empowerment
