SUSTAINABILITY: PRESERVING AND UPHOLDING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This research underscores the pivotal role of indigenous communities in fostering sustainable development while safeguarding environmental integrity. It posits that the traditional knowledge systems of indigenous peoples referred to variably as forest dwellers, tribal communities, or protectors of biodiversity are indispensable for achieving economic progress without compromising ecological balance. These communities, historically exploited due to their socio-economic vulnerabilities, have nonetheless maintained practices that harmonize human needs with environmental preservation. As climate change disproportionately impacts their livelihoods, indigenous peoples emerge as frontline activists in the global environmental crisis. This qualitative study explores the interplay between indigenous knowledge, environmental conservation, and sustainable development. It examines how their expertise can inform modern conservation practices and advocates for their inclusion in environmental decision-making through mechanisms like Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). The paper argues for the legal and cultural protection of indigenous rights as a forward-looking strategy to address the climate crisis and promote sustainability.