Indigenous Territories (IT)

Description

UNPFII

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Context:

The 23rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues commenced in New York on April 15, highlighting concerns over the slow pace of recognition of indigenous territories (IT) despite growing awareness.

Reporting and Action:

The nine Amazonian states are expected to provide updates on progress toward the goal of protecting 80% of the Amazon during the session.

Challenges in Land Protection in Indigenous Territories (IT):

Failure to meet the targets: Failure to protect land may impede meeting the targets of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, notably Target 3 aiming for 30% land and water protection by 2030.
Sluggish progress: Progress has been sluggish, with only around 7 million hectares of ITs recognized between 2021-2023, predominantly comprising expansions of pre-existing areas.
Recognition Delays: Despite the increasing recognition of the importance of ITs, there is a significant delay in formally recognizing these territories, hindering efforts to implement protective measures and manage resources sustainably.
Policy Inadequacies: Existing conservation policies and frameworks often fail to adequately incorporate the unique needs and rights of Indigenous Peoples, leading to ineffective protection strategies and conflicts over land use and resource management.
Pressure from External Forces: ITs face mounting pressures from external factors such as industrial development, extractive industries, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure projects, which threaten the integrity of these territories and exacerbate environmental degradation.
Lack of Resources: Indigenous communities often lack the financial resources, technical expertise, and institutional support needed to effectively manage and protect their territories, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and encroachment by external actors.
Legal Uncertainties: Legal uncertainties regarding land tenure, ownership rights, and jurisdictional boundaries contribute to the marginalization of Indigenous Peoples and create obstacles to asserting their rights to their ancestral lands, perpetuating a cycle of land insecurity and vulnerability.

Significance of Indigenous Territories:

Biodiversity Hotspots: Indigenous territories (ITs) encompass approximately 22% of the Earth's land surface and are home to an astounding 80% of the remaining global biodiversity, making them crucial hotspots for conservation efforts.
Cultural Preservation: ITs serve as the ancestral lands of Indigenous Peoples, preserving their unique cultures, languages, and traditional knowledge systems that are invaluable for sustainable resource management and biodiversity conservation.
Ecosystem Services: These territories play a vital role in providing ecosystem services such as clean water, air purification, soil fertility, and climate regulation, benefiting not only Indigenous communities but also surrounding regions and the global ecosystem.
Sustainable Land Management: Indigenous communities have historically practiced sustainable land management techniques, including agroforestry, rotational farming, and traditional hunting and gathering methods, which contribute to maintaining ecosystem health and resilience.
Climate Resilience: ITs often possess traditional ecological knowledge that enhances their resilience to climate change impacts, offering valuable insights for adaptation strategies and contributing to broader climate resilience efforts.

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a body within the United Nations (UN) system focused on indigenous peoples' rights and issues. Here are some key points about UNPFII:

●Establishment: The UNPFII was established in 2000 by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution 2000/22. It was created as a platform for indigenous peoples to voice their concerns and contribute to UN processes.

●Mandate: The forum's mandate includes discussing indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights. It provides recommendations to UN agencies and member states on indigenous issues.

●Membership: The UNPFII consists of 16 independent experts, including eight nominated by governments and eight nominated by indigenous organizations. The experts are selected based on their knowledge and experience in indigenous issues.

●Sessions: The forum holds annual sessions at the UN Headquarters in New York, typically in April or May, lasting for about two weeks. During these sessions, participants engage in discussions, panels, and workshops on various indigenous topics.

Conclusion:

ITs, renowned for their biodiversity, urgently require protection; however, they have only recently been included in global discussions on protected areas.
Despite their crucial role, Indigenous Peoples receive less than 1% of climate finance, primarily due to their insufficient recognition of climate change and conservation policies.
There is an urgent need to protect the Amazon and urged the Forum to integrate this urgency into its formal stance, proposing the launch of a Global Pact for its protection.

Source

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/un-permanent-forum-on-indigenous-issues-progress-towards-protecting-indigenous-territories-slow-say-experts-95576

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Critically analyze the challenges faced in the recognition and protection of Indigenous Territories (ITs) despite their significance in biodiversity conservation and cultural preservation. Discuss the implications of the slow pace of recognition of global biodiversity targets and propose measures to address these challenges effectively. ( 250 Words)