Context:
Recently, a symposium on the rights of indigenous people organised by the University of Arizona. It focused on how the Global Biodiversity Framework and India’s Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act of 2023 will impact tribes.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
- Implications of Kunming-Montreal GBF for India
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
Adoption: The Kunming-Montreal GBF was adopted during the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022.
Objectives:
- Support Sustainable Development Goals: Aims to support the achievement of sustainable development goals and build on previous strategic plans.
- Global Harmony with Nature: Sets a bold path towards global harmony with nature by 2050.
Implementation:
- National Targets: All parties commit to setting national targets to implement the GBF.
- Targets and Goals: Consists of 23 targets (set for 2030) and four global goals (set for 2050) to preserve biodiversity for current and future generations.
Content:
- Reducing Threats: Targets address reducing threats to biodiversity.
- Sustainable Use: Emphasizes meeting people’s needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing.
- Implementation Tools: Provides tools and solutions for implementation and mainstreaming.
Legal Status:
- Non-binding: The GBF is not an international treaty and is therefore not legally binding on Parties.
- No Mandatory System: It also doesn’t require a mandatory system that forces parties to step up their efforts at a specific time.
Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal GBF:
- Objective:
- 30% Conservation: Ensure that at least 30% of the world’s land, waters, and seas are conserved by 2030.
- Current Status:
- Protected Areas: At present, protected areas (PAs) cover about 16%.
- Nickname:
- 30 by 30: This target is also known as the “30 by 30” target.
Controversies:
- Impact on Indigenous Communities:
- Southeast Asia Examples: In Indonesia’s Ujungkulon National Park and Cambodia’s Beng Per Wildlife Sanctuary, indigenous people lack basic rights and face unfair convictions.
- Private Sector Involvement:
- India’s Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023: Includes zoos, safaris, and ecotourism facilities as forest activities, which some analysts view as detrimental to conservation efforts and indigenous rights.
- Historical Context:
- Colonial Origins: Protected areas were initially created for leisure and hunting by colonial elites.
- Modern Issues: Today, ecotourism projects often treat indigenous people as exhibits, showcasing their traditional culture in staged settings.
Implications of Kunming-Montreal GBF for India:
Concerns:
Impact on Indigenous Communities:
- National Parks: About 84% of India’s national parks (89 out of 106) are located in areas inhabited by indigenous peoples. Meeting GBF targets could threaten their existence and way of life.
- Specific Cases: Initiatives like upgrading the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary to a tiger reserve, expanding the Nauradehi Sanctuary, and the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary have raised concerns about displacement of tribal villages.
Legal Issues:
- Gazette Notifications: The Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary gazette notification suggests no rights or concessions for people in the area, despite evidence of indigenous communities residing there since 1914.
Strategies to Protect Tribal Lands:
Policy Updates:
Acknowledge Tribal Rights:
- Free, Prior, and Informed Consent: India should acknowledge the right to free, prior, and informed consent as per the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act.
- Guardianship: Amend laws to recognize tribal communities as guardians of protected areas, given their historical role in protecting nature.
Geographical Alternatives:
Create Protected Areas in Non-Tribal Areas:
- Examples: Tiger reserves have been established in areas without tigers, such as Sahyadri (Maharashtra), Satkosia (Odisha), Kamlang (Arunachal Pradesh), Kawal (Telangana), and Dampa (Mizoram). Similar flexibility could be applied to create protected areas in non-tribal regions.
Human Rights:
Address Violations Seriously:
- Access to Basic Services: Issues like access to education, healthcare, and housing should be addressed seriously and not solely left to the Wildlife or Forest Department.
-Source: The Hindu
