Indigenous Groups Will Issue Conservation Declaration
Delegates from 16 countries are set to release a statement regarding conservation impacts this Friday.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in National Parks
Live Poll
Should conservation policies prioritize the rights of Indigenous communities over protected land status?
Indigenous representatives are gathering at the Maanzoni Lodge in Athi River, Kenya, to issue a landmark declaration on September 25, 2026. The group intends to demand an end to evictions and a new focus on land rights at an 11am press conference.
Why it matters
The gathering aims to highlight opposition to land theft and violence linked to conservation policies. By uniting, the group seeks to advocate for official land recognition and greater respect for Indigenous rights globally.
Approximately 60 delegates from 16 countries are attending the Our Land, Our Nature gathering in Kenya. These representatives represent a broader population of at least 3 million people affected by conservation-related policies.
The players
Conservation Solutions Afrika
This is an organization that advocates for the rights of Indigenous communities in relation to environmental and land policies.
Survival International
This global movement works to protect the rights of tribal and Indigenous peoples from land theft and forced relocation.
The details
Organized by Conservation Solutions Afrika and Survival International, the event serves as a platform to challenge the human cost of current environmental initiatives. The declaration expected on Friday marks a collective effort to shift how conservation interacts with ancestral territories.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: Issuance of the landmark declaration at a press conference
Travel Outlook
The push by Indigenous representatives aligns with growing debates over the 30x30 global conservation target, which aims to protect 30% of the planet by 2030. This declaration marks a significant pushback against standard conservation models that have historically ignored localized land rights.
Travelers and researchers monitoring environmental policy should note that this declaration may lead to shifts in how protected areas are managed in Africa, Asia and the Americas. The event highlights critical logistical and ethical concerns for international tourism and conservation-focused travel.
The takeaway
This declaration highlights the tension between large-scale environmental preservation and the rights of those living on protected lands. Stakeholders can implement more inclusive land management strategies by prioritizing direct consultation with local Indigenous populations.
Further reading
Learn more about conservation-related policies and global land management in our National Parks section.
More information
To watch the event, visit the press conference online stream link.
Live Poll
Should conservation policies prioritize the rights of Indigenous communities over protected land status?
