Protecting Forests & Indigenous Rights in Myanmar

On May 22, an alliance of Indigenous Karen communities Accountability Counsel partners with in Myanmar put forward an affirmative vision for conserving the biodiverse ecosystem in Tanintharyi Region. This vision – a “Landscape of Life” designed by Indigenous communities who are the historic conservators of the Region – stands in stark contrast to the top-down approach taken by Myanmar’s government and the international community in the "Ridge to Reef" project.

With this plan, our Karen Indigenous partners at Conservation Alliance Tanawthari (CAT) are not only calling for the government and donors to abandon their current destructive model; they are putting forward their own systemic alternative for how we should care for the earth. Their plan is rooted in traditional knowledge from generations of sustainably stewarding the Region's land and natural resources. 

The Landscape of Life vision exemplifies the environmental solutions – led by communities and grounded in Indigenous knowledge – that need support and investment as the global community responds to the interconnected social, health, and climate crises we face. What if all climate finance were community driven? 

As is so clearly seen in this case, the risks of ignoring community voices, rather than learning from generations of custodianship, can undermine climate goals. We are honored to accompany CAT’s complaint process, which has suspended the current project, and to amplify their call for an alternative vision. 

We invite you to explore CAT’s video below that captures the unique biodiversity and traditional way of life in Tanintharyi Region we are fighting to protect.

 Tanawthari Landscape of Life - Conservation Alliance Tanawthari