{"id":87077,"date":"2017-02-20T12:00:40","date_gmt":"2017-02-20T12:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=87077"},"modified":"2017-02-18T16:08:19","modified_gmt":"2017-02-18T16:08:19","slug":"indigenous-peoples-lands-guard-80-per-cent-of-worlds-biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2017\/02\/indigenous-peoples-lands-guard-80-per-cent-of-worlds-biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Indigenous Peoples Lands Guard 80 Per Cent of World\u2019s Biodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In much of the Andes, soil erosion is thought to be one of the most limiting factors in crop production. Soil is vulnerable to erosion where it is exposed to moving water or wind and where conditions of topography or human use decrease the cohesion of the soil. \u00a9IFAD\/ Juan I. Cort\u00e9s<\/p><\/div>\n

9 Feb 2017<\/em> – They are more than 370 million self-identified peoples in some 70 countries around the world. In Latin America alone there are over 400 groups, each with a distinct language and culture, though the biggest concentration is in Asia and the Pacific\u2013 with an estimated 70 per cent. And their traditional lands guard over 80 per cent of the planet\u2019s biodiversity.<\/p>\n

They are the indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n

They have rich and ancient cultures and view their social, economic, environmental and spiritual systems as interdependent. And they make valuable contributions to the world\u2019s heritage thanks to their traditional knowledge and their understanding of ecosystem management.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they are also among the world\u2019s most vulnerable, marginalized and disadvantaged groups. And they have in-depth, varied and locally rooted knowledge of the natural world, \u201csays<\/a> the Rome-based International Fund for Agriculture Development<\/a> (IFAD<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, indigenous peoples too often pay a price for being different and far too frequently face discrimination,\u201d the Fund, which hosts on Feb 10 and 13 on Rome the Global Meeting of the Indigenous People Forum<\/a> in the Italian capital.<\/p>\n

During this biennial meeting, the United Nations specialised agency will bring together representatives of Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Organisations from across the world, as well as leaders of partner bodies to engage in a direct dialogue and improve participation of indigenous peoples in the Fund\u2019s country programmes.<\/p>\n

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Credit: IFAD<\/p><\/div>\n

Over the centuries, the Indigenous peoples \u201chave been dispossessed of their lands, territories and resources and, as a consequence, have often lost control over their own way of life. Worldwide, they account for 5 per cent of the population, but represent 15 per cent of those living in poverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the most effective ways to enable indigenous peoples to overcome poverty, it adds, is to support their efforts to shape and direct their own destinies, and to ensure that they are the co-creators and co-managers of development initiatives.
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\nRights of Indigenous People<\/strong>s<\/p>\n

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples<\/a>, adopted by the General Assembly on Sep. 13, 2007, establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, well-being and rights of the world\u2019s indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n

Key facts<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n