Traditional Knowledge Bulletin |
- This week in review … Article on the World Heritage Convention and indigenous peoples
- Resource: Book on transfrontier conservation areas
- Resource: Book on sacred species and sites
- Resource: Article on indigenous knowledge of climatic conditions for sustainable crop production
- Resource: article on the role of community-generated information in delivering adaptation and development objectives
This week in review … Article on the World Heritage Convention and indigenous peoples Posted: 17 Oct 2012 11:12 PM PDT The World Heritage Convention and Indigenous Peoples LONDON, UK: This article provides an overview of issues related to indigenous peoples' experiences of the inscription of their lands and resources as World Heritage Sites under the 1972 World Heritage Convention. In some cases the Convention has been a tool for indigenous peoples to use in protecting their lands – the case of the Mirarr people in Kakadu, Australia, using the World Heritage Convention to halt Uranium mining in their lands stands out. However, far too often the processes of the World Heritage Convention, and the Committee which oversees its implementation, result in violation of the rights of indigenous peoples. In order to examine these experiences more closely and draw out the lessons that need to be learnt, Forest Peoples Programme and the International Work Group on Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) are drawing together a book detailing indigenous peoples' experiences with this Convention. This joins other international efforts already undertaken aimed at highlighting the urgent need for reforms in the World Heritage Convention work processes, including the IUCN Motion on the World Heritage Convention and the Implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In September, an International Expert Workshop on the World Heritage Convention and Indigenous Peoples was organized as part of the 40th Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, celebrated by UNESCO under the theme "World Heritage and Sustainable Development: The Role of Local Communities". The 'Call for Action' resulting from this Workshop highlights the need for the Operational Guidelines of the Convention to be reviewed and adapted – with the effective participation of indigenous peoples – to ensure that existing working practices can be changed to ensure violations do not continue. It also highlights the need for human rights considerations to be taken into account. Read the article … |
Resource: Book on transfrontier conservation areas Posted: 17 Oct 2012 11:10 PM PDT Transfrontier Conservation Areas: People Living on the Edge This book examines the promises around transfrontier conservation areas in southern Africa – global biodiversity conservation, regional peace and integration and sustainable socioeconomic development of rural communities – and the marginalized people displaced by, or living on the edge of, protected areas. Hence, the studies in this book move from the dream of eco-tourism-fuelled development supporting nature conservation and people towards the local realities facing marginalized people, living adjacent to protected areas in environments often poorly suited to agriculture. It Crop cultivation, livestock keeping and natural resource harvesting activities along the conservation borders are also specifically addressed. Purchase the book from Routledge … |
Resource: Book on sacred species and sites Posted: 17 Oct 2012 11:08 PM PDT Sacred Species and Sites: Advances in Biocultural Conservation It is being increasingly recognized that cultural and biological diversity are deeply linked and that conservation programmes should take into account the ethical, cultural and spiritual values of nature. With contributions from a range of scholars, practitioners and spiritual leaders from around the world, this book provides new insights into biocultural diversity conservation. It explores sacred landscapes, sites, plants and animals from around the world to demonstrate the links between nature conservation and spiritual beliefs and traditions. Key conceptual topics are connected to case studies, as well as modern and ancient spiritual insights. The book also provides guidelines for future research and practice and offers suggestions for improved integration of these values into policy, planning and management. Purchase the book from CUP … |
Resource: Article on indigenous knowledge of climatic conditions for sustainable crop production Posted: 17 Oct 2012 11:06 PM PDT Indigenous Knowledge of Climatic Conditions for Sustainable Crop Production under Resource-Poor Farming Conditions Using Participatory Techniques Rambuda irrigation scheme is situated in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province in South Africa. It was established in 1952 and farmers do not have access to recorded climatic information. Farmers are growing crops on a trial and error basis, hence low yields and crop loses. The objective of the study was to investigate indigenous knowledge of climatic conditions relevant for crop production using participatory techniques. Situation analysis was conducted to gain information on factors influencing crop choice. Participatory exercise was conducted with 33 of 104 of plot-holders. Farmers could identify climatic factors important for crop production and those limiting to crop performance. Hot, dry conditions during August to October and January months were limiting to crops, particularly sweet potato production. The results showed that indigenous knowledge of climate needs to be considered during agricultural development planning and scientists need to investigate linkages between modern agro-meteorology and indigenous knowledge. Read the abstract … Download the article [pdf] … |
Resource: article on the role of community-generated information in delivering adaptation and development objectives Posted: 17 Oct 2012 11:04 PM PDT Voices from the frontline: the role of community-generated information in delivering climate adaptation and development objectives at project level This paper examines the challenges and opportunities for NGOs to integrate climate change adaptation into development projects, focusing on the potential contribution of community-generated information. The research, undertaken with agricultural NGO FARM-Africa, centres upon subsistence farming communities in the Kenyan Districts of Mwingi and Kitui, where a succession of droughts has blighted agricultural production in recent years. Discussions with FARM-Africa staff highlight how recent climate variability and possibly climate change, is already affecting project-level operations. In particular, the interaction between the secondary impacts of climate hazards and livelihood responses presents a challenge to local staff as there is no obvious means of reflecting the complexity of local experiences and impacts within project planning processes. In response, drawing upon discussions with farmer groups, a matrix for each community was developed comprising environmental, social and agro-economic hazard (drought) consequence indicators and corresponding measures under 'extreme', 'severe' and 'moderate' scenarios. This paper concludes that a structured approach to gathering locally held knowledge on the consequences of climate hazards appears to present a potentially valuable means of exploring the complex web of interactions between climate, livelihoods and vulnerability. Such community-generated information can be used to inform future project planning and community decision making, increasing the likelihood of achieving locally appropriate adaptation outcomes. Read the abstract … |
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