Structural neglect of local stewardship undermines global forest restoration
Original framing: “Why community voices could make or break world's forest restoration plans” — Phys.org
Indigenous communities have long practiced sustainable forest stewardship, yet their knowledge is systematically excluded from national and international environmental policies. In Mexico, for example, Indigenous groups manage significant forest areas through communal systems that are not recognized by formal governance structures.
The failure of global forest restoration to account for the systemic exclusion of Indigenous and local communities reflects deeper power imbalances rooted in colonial legacies and extractive economic systems.
By integrating traditional ecological knowledge, recognizing land rights, and shifting funding and governance structures, restoration efforts can become more equitable and effective. Historical parallels in the Amazon and Southeast Asia demonstrate that community-led conservation is not only possible but essential for long-term ecological resilience. A cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approach is necessary to move beyond technocratic models and toward a more just and sustainable future.