Emerging Battles Over Forests Crucial to Protect Rights, Tackle Climate Crisis

“The forest dies first, we die later,” said Ka’apor chief Itahú as we patrolled the vast Alto Turiaçu Indigenous territory in the Brazilian Amazon, looking for evidence of illegal logging. During our time together, he spoke at length of his people’s connection to their land and the important role it plays not only as a source of food and medicine, but also as a cornerstone of their spiritual beliefs and cultural identity. Forests and trees provide vital resources to 1.3 billion people. More than 300 million people, nearly half of whom are Indigenous, rely almost entirely on forests to fulfill their…

© Human Rights Watch - lundi 21 mars 2022