In September 2020, a fisherman residing in the Nibela region of South Africa, which aquatic resources are now under the authority of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a designated World Heritage Site by United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)) was shot dead by park rangers.
This is one example of the actions undertaken by wildlife conservation projects against Indigenous and local peoples. In fact, the dispossession of Indigenous peoples’ lands and waters by states and international institutions, disguised under the argument of protecting the environment is very common.
The report shall outline the key mechanisms that contribute towards indigenous peoples’ rights violations in the context of environmental conservation.
The report has been authored by Safia Cissoko.