By Akangjungla
For generations, Indigenous Peoples have sustained their lands through scared spiritual and cultural ties, guided by wisdom that views nature not as a resource to exploit but as a sacred trust. Long before borders were drawn and development invaded territories, Indigenous Peoples governed themselves with their own laws, language, and culture. Their governance models, rooted in communal care rather than private ownership, have kept ecosystems thriving where industrial extraction has failed. Studies show that forests under Indigenous management are healthier, store more carbon, and support greater wildlife diversity than state or privately controlled lands. Managing nearly a quarter of the world’s land is a proof that Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge and collective stewardship are unmatched in preserving nature.
Yet, despite their crucial role, Indigenous communities worldwide, including those in the Northeastern region of India, continue to face land dispossession, legal neglect, and even aggression when defending their ancestral domains. Today, their territories are under unrest, grabbed for dams, mines, and plantations, often under the disguise of development and with government patronage. And therefore, there is a call for the Indigenous Peoples to stand together to protect their forests, rivers, and identity, and to assert that land is not just a resource; it is who the Indigenous Peoples are.
Across Northeast India, government-backed hydroelectric projects are disrupting river ecosystems and, often in worse cases, displacing communities. Human rights activists based in Sikkim argue that these dams threaten the region’s ecological balance and cultural identity, prioritising short-term gains over centuries-old sustainable practices. They are advocating for Indigenous knowledge as a viable alternative, harnessing traditional wisdom to protect waters and resist destructive development. To survive as Indigenous Peoples, their ‘hope and endeavour’ is to reclaim their stories, revive their unique languages, and defend their lands with unwavering collective strength.
In many cases, scientific studies confirm what ancestors always knew: forests nurtured by Indigenous hands are healthier, and sustain greater biodiversity than those exploited by corporations and governments. Yet despite this truth, the rights of the Indigenous Peoples remain under threat and the recognition of their rights remains inconsistent.
If we are serious about sustainability, justice, and resilience, we must do better. “Development” should never erase Indigenous cultures. Conservation efforts must center Indigenous leadership, not exclude it; it must be led by Indigenous communities, not imposed upon them. Society must reject the false choice between progress and preservation, because real progress cannot destroy the very land that sustains us all. The struggle for Indigenous land rights is not just about justice for the people, it is about securing a future for all.
Comments can be sent to akangjungla@gmail.com
