PROTECTING INDIGENOUS LAND RIGHTS: MARK OF CONFLICT OR MEASURE FOR SOCIAL EQUALITY

Abstract

In the words of Joan Carling, Advisory Board Member of Land Rights Now “Communities around the world rely on their families. But their lands also feed the world”. One of the important aspect of human survival or sustenance is based upon the land and its subsidiaries that is the product of the land. No one can be denied the access to the resource and outsourcing a group or community of people just because he/ she are claiming their rights upon the land being customary possession or protector of their land. Yet, the indigenous and local communities who have protected these lands for centuries, legally just own one- fifth. These lands not only fulfil the purpose of sustenance of local people. But it serves many purposes like community lands acts like biodiversity hot spots, it reduces massive carbon emission, it can boost farmers’ productivity. Indigenous lands protects women right to hold the property. It helps small scale food producers to protect and sustain diverse food cultures and landscapes. The only way to minimize the control of indigenous and ethnic properties to be converted into private properties by the industrialists to fulfill their sole purpose to extract money can easily be controlled by the promoting and protecting the interests of the these local communities. They are basic source of the traditional knowledge.