Indigenous knowledge and the shackles of wilderness

Background

The proposed geological epoch, the Anthropocene, emerged in response to current environmental crises and traces its origins to mid-20th-century industrialization in Europe. Defining the Anthropocene as a static epoch reflects a Eurocentric perspective rooted in the European “Enlightenment,” which emphasized Western notions of reason while marginalizing diverse ways of understanding environmental change. This framework, shaped by the belief that humans exist separately from nature, justified colonial agendas that sought to “enlighten” the world by subduing wildness. The Eurocentric ideal of preserving “pristine wilderness” as a solution to environmental crises remains embedded in Western conservation efforts. It continues to influence organizations and nation-states, reinforcing “fortress conservation” policies that exclude Indigenous and local communities, particularly in tropical regions.

Goals and Methods

This paper seeks to demonstrate how excluding Indigenous and local peoples from conservation—rooted in the myth of a 'pristine, people-free nature'—has caused ecological degradation and social injustice. To support this argument, the paper draws on case studies from tropical forests in the Amazon, Asia-Pacific, and Australian aridlands, highlighting the enduring human influence on these ecosystems and the vital role of contemporary community-led conservation efforts.

Conclusions and Takeaways

This paper advocates the urgent need to recognize Indigenous and community conservation areas (ICCAs), prioritize Indigenous knowledge and rights, and decolonize conservation practices. It ultimately calls on externally funded conservation initiatives to align with or defer to Indigenous governance, stressing that supporting Indigenous-led efforts is essential for achieving conservation that is socially just, empowering, and sustainable.