Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Environmental Protection: Legal Challenges and Pathways to Sustainable Development

Indigenous peoples are disproportionately impacted by the loss of biological diversity and environmental degradation due to the growing demands placed on their lands and resources, as well as the cultural and religious ties to their ancestral places. In the world, there are more than 200 million indigenous people. The majority of them are found in extremely sensitive ecosystems, such as the semiarid rangelands and mountains, the Arctic and tundra, tropical and boreal forests, and riverine and coastal zones. The last few decades have seen an increase in the burden on traditional indigenous territories as outsiders have searched for, extracted from, or converted natural resources to meet an expanding worldwide demand. The areas that indigenous peoples used to be difficult to access have now become important sources of minerals, hardwoods, pasture land, and hydroelectric power. Climate change is putting other indigenous areas in danger of disappearing entirely. Therefore, this paper seeks to investigate the varied nature of these issues, evaluate the applicable legal frameworks critically, and pinpoint potential avenues for bridging the gaps between Indigenous rights, environmental preservation, and sustainable development objectives. Additionally, this study aims to advance global sustainability goals by addressing these problems and fostering a more inclusive and equitable approach to environmental governance that respects Indigenous peoples' rights and aspirations.