The Human Cost of Conservation
Geographically defined “protected areas,” managed by states or organizations, are one of the new global fronts against biodiversity loss and climate change. But many of those areas are already occupied by Indigenous peoples, whose rights are increasingly being violated in the name of conservation. This series explores how some conservation efforts are costing communities their homes — and in some cases their lives.
In This Series
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![Kayapo Indigenous protesters block highway BR-163 in Brazil with a banner that reads in Portuguese:]()
![Kayapo Indigenous protesters block highway BR-163 in Brazil with a banner that reads in Portuguese:]()
Indigenous territories in the Brazilian Amazon effectively protect forests. Why is deforestation increasing?
Even with strict regulations, protected areas lost forest to weakened environmental policies under the Bolsonaro regime.
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![a diver looks at bleached coral]()
![a diver looks at bleached coral]()
Countries reach sweeping deal to protect nature
Now, can they actually implement it?
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![Indigenous person wearing a face mask standing in a crowd, holding sign at a protest at the UN biodiversity conference]()
![Indigenous person wearing a face mask standing in a crowd, holding sign at a protest at the UN biodiversity conference]()
The world is struggling to figure out conservation. First Nations have some ideas.
Guardian programs offer one example of how governments can work with Indigenous peoples.
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![Two people protesting the forceful eviction of the Loliondo Ngorongoro Maa community by the republic of Tanzania; a banner is held by others behind them]()
![Two people protesting the forceful eviction of the Loliondo Ngorongoro Maa community by the republic of Tanzania; a banner is held by others behind them]()
Report: African countries routinely violate Indigenous peoples rights
Free, prior, and informed consent is key to safeguarding Indigenous peoples lands and livelihoods.
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![Indigenous protestors raise their fists in a large conference room]()
![Indigenous protestors raise their fists in a large conference room]()
How Indigenous people are fighting to stop ‘the biggest land grab in history’
At the UN biodiversity conference, Indigenous leaders fight to be included in 30x30 talks.
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![Group of Maasai tribesmen wearing bright red shawls and carrying sticks, walking down a dirt path, viewed from behind]()
![Group of Maasai tribesmen wearing bright red shawls and carrying sticks, walking down a dirt path, viewed from behind]()
Tanzania drops murder charges against 24 Maasai land defenders
The alleged murder occurred when state security forces tried to evict the Maasai to create a hunting preserve.
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![person stands in a forest holding a stick with a bunch of fruit collected at the top]()
![person stands in a forest holding a stick with a bunch of fruit collected at the top]()
Report: Countries need an impossible amount of land to meet climate pledges
Pressure to convert land for carbon removal puts Indigenous communities at risk.
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![Four Indigenous people wearing red clothes stand in a forest]()
![Four Indigenous people wearing red clothes stand in a forest]()
The world’s healthiest forests are on Indigenous land. Here’s why.
A new report finds Indigenous land rights are key to preserving biodiversity.
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![Two Maasai people wearing brightly colored clothing walking on a field with mountains rising in the distance]()
![Two Maasai people wearing brightly colored clothing walking on a field with mountains rising in the distance]()
UN: Conservation shouldn’t cost Indigenous lives
A new report says expanding biodiversity protections are a threat to human rights.
