Kachchh Community Workshop on Forest Rights Act

Natural Justice’s Arpitha Kodiveri and Sankar Pani attended a two day consultation on ‘Community Forest Rights under Forest Rights Act: Challenges and Opportunities for Biodiversity Conservation in Kachchh District.’ The workshop was organised by  Sahjeevan, a Kachchh-based NGO, from 6-7 September, 2012. The consultation took place between members of pastoralist communities from the Banni and representatives from organisations working on the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA). As most communities are being denied various rights in forest areas, the workshop focused on the applicability and implementation of the FRA in Kachchh district with an emphasis on issues faced by pastoralist communities and on communities dependent on fishing and salt cultivation. The issues noted were the lack of implementation of the FRA provisions around grazing rights as well as evictions for industrial activities and the declaration of special economic zones. 

The primary recommendations from the consultation were: 

• To ensure implementation of the FRA through a widespread awareness campaign and the facilitation of claims by the district administration in collaboration with civil society organisations; 

• The withdrawal of clearances granted for the diversion of forest land not in compliance with the FRA; 

• Traditional rights in the protected areas should be strengthened and should be recognised under the FRA.

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Terralingua E-Magazine on Sacred Natural Sites

Terralingua has published its latest Langscape e-magazine, “Sacred Natural Sites; Sources of Biocultural Diversity.” This edition was co-edited by Luisa Maffi and Ortixia Dilts of Terralingua and Bas Verschuuren and Robert Wild of the Sacred Natural Sites Initiative. It seeks to “explore the rich interconnections between Sacred Natural Sites and Biocultural Diversity.” Natural Justice’s Steph Booker and Holly Shrumm contributed to the publication, authoring “Protecting the Sacred: The Role Community Protocols Play in the Protection of Sacred Natural Sites.” 

From the description of this edition, “through a unique lens of stories, photographs, articles, and a diversity of perspectives this volume of Langscape introduces you to the value of Sacred Natural Sites as valuable sources of biocultural diversity. They are the amongst the oldest places at which intersecting human culture and wild nature have deeply shaped humanity. Their conservation is complex but important not only for the survival of biodiversity and cultural diversity but also for human well-being and life as a whole.” 

Steph Booker and Holly Shrumm’s article considers the way communities in Tanchara, Ghana and Sheka Forest, Ethiopia are using biocultural community protocols (BCPs) to assert their rights to steward their sacred natural sites. They argue that “BCPs are one rights-based approach that can help indigenous peoples and local communities redress the conflicts between customary and externally imposed laws and values to ensure that their priorities and ways of life are effectively supported in practice.” 

The entire e-magazine can be downloaded here. Previous editions can be downloaded here.

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Anaya Report to UN Human Rights Council

From the Special Rapporteur's
Youtube channel

The United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council on July 7th, 2012. The report summarises the activities of the Special Rapporteur over the past year, including his examination of the thematic issue of violence against Indigenous women, and reports on his continuing study of issues related to extractive industries operating on or near Indigenous territories. 

From the summary, “The Special Rapporteur addresses some issues that have arisen during his consultations over the past year with indigenous peoples, business enterprises, States and non-governmental organizations. In particular, he notes that a focus on the rights implicated in the context of a specific extractive or development project is an indispensable starting point for discussions involving extractive industries operating in or near indigenous lands. In this connection, consultation and free, prior and informed consent standards are best conceptualized as safeguards against measures that may affect indigenous peoples’ rights. The Special Rapporteur also suggests that the “protect, respect and remedy” framework, which is incorporated into the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, should apply to advance the specific rights of indigenous peoples in the same way as it applies to advance human rights more generally.”

Find the full report here. Learn more about the work of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples here. Follow the Special Rapporteur on Twitter at @unsr_jamesanaya and find his videos on Youtube here. 

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WIPO Indigenous Fellowship - Applications Open

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is seeking expressions of interest from indigenous individuals for the WIPO Indigenous Fellowship for 2013. The Fellowship seeks to build on a series of initiatives to ensure that Indigenous peoples are actively and effectively involved in the work of WIPO on issues that matter to them.

Fellows will work under the Director of the Traditional Knowledge Division of WIPO to assist in outreach to Indigenous peoples and local communities on intellectual property issues, contribute to and participate in the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore, assist in planning and undertaking WIPO activities relevant to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, carry out relevant research and draft and prepare WIPO documents, and perform tasks that may be required in the context of the work of the Division. 

Applicants are expected to be recognised and active members of an Indigenous community, to have proven experience in Indigenous outreach, to hold legal qualifications or equivalent practical experience  with a preference for experience in intellectual property law, and to demonstrate the ability to work effectively in English (at least one other UN language would be an advantage). 

Find more details on the fellowship and how to apply here. 

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FPP Seeking Executive Director

Via www.forestpeoples.org

The Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) is seeking an experienced and dynamic person to serve as Executive Director. The person should be committed to the continued and successful development of FPP and its values, strategic goals and thematic programmes. 

The Executive Director will be responsible for shaping the collective vision and direction of FPP, coordinating all FPP activities, fundraising, and overseeing the management of personnel. A successful candidate will have experience in providing consensus-based leadership, an understanding of relevant issues and legal frameworks, significant experience working with Indigenous peoples and local communities, fundraising experience, leadership qualities, a proven capacity for research and writing, and fluency in English with proficiency in French and/or Spanish. 

Find the full job description and details on how to apply here. Read more about FPP here. Find FPP on Facebook here and follow FPP on Twitter at @ForestPeoplesP.

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Short Film on Artisanal Fishing in Latin America

Artisanal fisherfolk in Latin America face immense challenges from overfishing and climate change.  To highlight these challenges and allow young artisanal fisherfolk to share their own perspectives, Por La Mar Consorcio has developed a short film based on interviews with youth who draw their livelihoods from fishing. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles. 

Youth interviewed in the film emphasise the importance of artisanal fishing for supporting livelihoods, providing food security, nourishing cultures and creating jobs. They also consider the challenges they have faced from climate change. Finally, they consider how they can work to develop a better future for their communities. 

Read more about Por La Mar Consorcio in English here and Spanish here. Find more films by Por La Mar Consorcio here. 

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Natural Justice at 5th IUCN WCC

Harry Jonas and Holly Shrumm of Natural Justice are in Jeju, South Korea, to participate in the Fifth World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Congress will take place from 6-15 September and will be preceded by meetings of the volunteer Commissions. Natural Justice will present at and participate in a range of events related to Indigenous peoples' and local communities' conserved territories and areas (ICCAs), sacred natural sites, biocultural diversity, rights-based approaches to conservation, governance and management of protected areas, the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and access and benefit sharing, among others. The official Congress programme is available here. Updates will be provided on this blog throughout the Congress. Find ways to engage with the Congress from anywhere here. 

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