Source: HINDU

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Context

Across the world conservation laws have often marginalized Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) sidelining their role in environmental stewardship.

In contrast India’s Forest Rights Act, 2006 stands apart by recognizing the historical injustices faced by forest dwellers and integrating their rights with conservation objectives.

This marks a shift from exclusionary conservation models to inclusive, rights based conservation.

Global Conservation

Fortress Conservation Model

Rooted in colonial ideologies the fortress model seeks to protect pristine nature by creating exclusive protected areas often leading to:

Displacement of IPLCs (10–20 million globally)

Criminalization of traditional livelihood practices

Centralized control by state/market actors

Examples of Impacted Communities

Masai and Ogiek (Kenya), Batwa (Uganda), Ashaninka (Peru) and Adivasis (India) — all have faced dispossession despite having lived sustainably in biodiverse landscapes.

India’s Legal Evolution in Conservation

Pre-FRA Legal Landscape

Shift with Biological Diversity Act 2002

Enacted to implement Convention on Biological Diversity commitments.

Institutional framework:

National Biodiversity Authority

State Biodiversity Boards

Biodiversity Management Committees

However BDA tends to monetize nature without strong protection of IPLC rights.

Forest Rights Act 2006: A Paradigm Shift

Core Features

Rights Relevant to Conservation

Right to protect, regenerate, conserve or manage community forest resources

Right to access biodiversity and traditional knowledge

FRA vs Global Frameworks

FRA vs Fortress Conservation

Alignment with CBD and UNDRIP

India ratified CBD 1992 and voted for UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007.

Though India avoids using the term indigenous it constitutionally recognizes Scheduled Tribes.

FRA reflects Article 8(j) of CBD on respecting traditional knowledge.

FRA in the Context of KMGBF and 30x30 Agenda

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022)

23 targets adopted by CBD COP-15

Emphasis on:

IPLC participation

Rights over knowledge and practices

30% land and marine protection by 2030 (30x30 target)

Concerns with 30x30

Risks reproducing exclusionary models if rights are not central.

India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan emphasizes FRA principles but implementation still State-led.

Opportunities and Challenges with OECMs

What are OECMs?

Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures

Areas not protected by law but managed to achieve conservation

Involve government, private actors and IPLCs

 Implementation in India

Constitutional and Legal Backing of FRA

Indian Constitution

Fifth and Sixth Schedules: Autonomy to Scheduled Areas

Article 244/244A: Governance of tribal areas

PESA Act, 1996: Gram sabha empowerment in Scheduled Areas

FRA’s Unique Global Position

Recognizes historical injustice

Envisions tenure-security-driven conservation 

Empowers over 104 million Adivasis (2011 Census) – the largest IPLC group in the world

Recent Developments

Draft Biodiversity Rules, 2024

Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ position:

FRA-led Gram Sabhas should manage biodiversity

No Biodiversity Heritage Site without prior consent and FRA rights settlement

COP-16 Outcomes

Creation of a Permanent Subsidiary Body for IPLCs 

Strengthens Article 8(j) implementation

Way Forward

Strengthen FRA Implementation

Expedite recognition of Community Forest Resource rights

Integrate Gram Sabhas into all biodiversity governance structures

Align BDA and CBD Obligations with FRA

Legal coherence among environmental laws

Ensure consent and participation of forest communities in OECMs and Biodiversity Heritage Sites

Reform Institutional Frameworks

Make BMCs functional and accountable to Gram Sabhas

Capacity building and legal aid for IPLCs

Rethink “Protected Areas”

Move from a land-centric to rights-centric conservation approach

Adopt landscape-level conservation models integrating human and ecological needs

Sources:

HINDU