The Protection of Forest Biodiversity can Conflict with Food Access for Indigenous People

International protected area (PA) policies, while recognizing Indigenous rights, often conflict with traditional food access for Indigenous communities. A study at La Amistad Biosphere Reserve, Costa Rica, found that PA regulations restricting shifting agriculture and hunting negatively impact the health, nutrition, cultural identity, and social cohesion of the Bribri people. These restrictions also affect the transmission of cultural teachings to youth and the relationship with non-human beings. The research analyzed land management documents and engaged with the Bribri community to identify these impacts. To mitigate such conflicts, the study proposes integrating a right-to-food framework into PA management, allowing communities to define sustainable harvesting practices, and ensuring clear communication of regulations to resource users.

Sylvester, O., Segura, A., & Davidson-Hunt, I. (2016). The Protection of Forest Biodiversity can Conflict with Food Access for Indigenous People. Conservation and Society, 14(3), 279. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-4923.191157