Expansion and Safeguarding of Indigenous Territories of the Arhuaco and Kogui Under Threat of Third Party Appropriation - Rights + Resources - Supporting Forest Tenure, Policy, and Market Reforms

Country:

Colombia

Region:

Latin America

Date:

2015

Implementor:

Indigenous Reserve (Resguardo) Arhuaco of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Collabora- tion with Gonawindua Tayrona organization

Funding Amount:

$69,930

Details:

As a result of SRM funding, an unanticipated legal victory took place at the Constitutional Court on the violation of prior consultation rights of Indigenous Peoples in the SNSM. This victory expanded the protection of territories from 100,000 to 380,000 hectares, which benefited the Arhuaco, Kogui, and the four IP groups inhabiting the region. Additionally, the legal decision is now applicable to more than 400 mining projects taking place in the area. In response to the court ruling, the Arhuacos developed an integral Strategic Environmental Assessment to determine the cumulative effects of all projects that have operated in the region since 1991. This assessment provided the communities with the scientific and technical tools necessary to negotiate with the government for cultural and environmental management in the SNSM.