Indigenous People’s Right over Forests vs. Forest Management: The Need for a Collaborative Relationship

Indigenous people can be considered as a group that has been present for generations in a particular geographical area with cultural and historical links. They can be considered as first people and there is a relationship that exists between them and the area that they reside in. The people can also be considered as the guardians of the land they reside in. This paper focuses on the indigenous people residing in forests and can be considered as the best guardians of the forest. The rates of deforestation have also reduced specifically in areas of the forest they are located. The forest authorities and the government must ensure the areas of these people are unaffected for purely economic reasons. Once their lands are taken away, not only their place of residence is taken away, their identity and culture are affected too. To ensure these difficulties are not imposed upon them, forest management and indigenous people must come to a consensus regarding substantial measures taken. A collaborative relationship is required to maintain environmental stability and cultural preservation. This paper focuses on the legal provisions available for the protection of land rights and the possibility of collaborative planning between forest management and indigenous people.