Chapter 1 - Preamble

Section 1 - Social & Economic Dimensions

Section 2 - Conservation and Management of Resources

Section 3 - Strengthening the Role of Major Groups
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32

Section 4 - Means of Implementation

Complete text of Agenda 21: Chapter 26
Chapter 26: Strengthening the Role of Indigenous People

Indigenous people, who represent a significant part of the world’s population, depend on renewable resources and ecosystems to maintain their well-being.

Over many generations, they have evolved a holistic, traditional scientific knowledge of their land, natural resources and environment. The ability of indigenous people to practice sustainable development on their lands has been limited by economic, social and historical actors.

Governments should recognize that indigenous lands need to be protected from environmentally unsound activities, and from activities the people consider to be socially and culturally inappropriate. There should be national dispute resolution procedures to deal with concerns about the settlement of land and use of resources.

Some indigenous people may require greater control over their lands, and self management of their resources. They should also participate in development decisions that affect them, and in the creation of protected areas, such as parks.

Governments should incorporate the rights and responsibilities of indigenous people into national legislation. Countries could also adopt laws and policies to preserve customary practices, and protect indigenous property, including ideas and knowledge.

Indigenous people should be allowed to actively participate in shaping national laws and policies on the management of resources or other development processes that affect them.

Governments and international organizations should recognize the values, traditional knowledge and resource management practices that indigenous people use to manage their environments, and apply this knowledge to other areas where development is taking place. They should also provide indigenous people with suitable technologies to increase the efficiency of their resource management.

Next Chapter