Recognizing and Supporting Territories and Areas Conserved by Indigenous and Local Communities

This publication is based on a range of past studies on ICCAs conducted in several regions of the world in the last two decades, and, most recently, on 19 country level case studies. The latter were commissioned as part of a project on ICCA Recognition and Support, undertaken by the ICCA Consortium, coordinated by Kalpavriksh.

It also incorporates some key findings of a parallel project on ICCA Legislation, also undertaken by the ICCA Consortium, and coordinated by Natural Justice.

The publication intends to:

•provide a glimpse of the range, diversity, coverage, and values of ICCAs, and the socio-cultural, economic and political contexts important for them;

•provide an understanding of the status and processes of recognizing and supporting ICCAs, at both international and national levels, and suggestions on how appropriate recognition and support could be given to them

•help Parties to the CBD implement their commitments under the Programme of Work on Protected Areas or other programmes and action plans of the CBD, and achieve relevant Aichi Targets of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020;

•help Parties to the CBD and other countries implement their commitments under other relevant international agreements including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

•strengthen the efforts of civil society organizations, including those of indigenous peoples and local communities, in obtaining appropriate recognition and support for ICCAs.