The Restoration Initiative (TRI) has been pivotal in uniting people and the planet in their important environmental restoration projects. Not only focusing on mitigating land degradation, TRI has been uplifting Indigenous communities that call this land home. With extraordinary connections to the land, Indigenous peoples possess traditional ecological knowledge and practices that are critical in the fight for environmental restoration. Through their various projects, the TRI are finding a balance between actively restoring land areas while protecting local communities’ rights and livelihoods that have lasted generations.
Empowering Indigenous Communities in the Central African Republic
In the Pissa and Berberati regions of the Central African Republic, TRI projects are aiding the transition away from unsustainable farming practices in order to relieve the depletion of forest resources. The survival of local villages and indigenous groups has been based on scarce resources such as timber and wild meat, but with the help of TRI, new forms of income are being established.
Pictures from CAR nursery in Bayanga area managed by partner WWF © FAO/Benjamin DeRidder
With the trust of the local people, long-term solutions are being established in the form of community forests. These forests aim to give Indigenous people long-term rights to use and manage their resources, empowering sustainable practices and collaboration. Through extensive engagement with local villagers, 500 hectares of land has been mapped out for this restoration project, with the potential to improve food security, increase animal habitat, provide alternative income sources, and improve the lives of surrounding communities. Training has been provided to empower indigenous peoples, teaching the importance of land management, legal rights, and allocation of community forests.
“Before, I had no knowledge of our place and rights as Indigenous Peoples to the allocation of community forests. Thanks to this training, as a member of the Indigenous committee of the Guitto Community Forest, I feel empowered to sustainably manage and use forest resources.” Albert Ndouba
Forest Landscape Restoration in the Democratic Republic of Congo
In the South Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, TRI is working with local communities to implement important forest landscape restoration strategies. Increasing populations in the Kabaré and Ngweshe chiefdoms have impacted important forest land, and TRI aims to reverse this degradation with the collaboration of local and indigenous groups. Constructing nurseries for the growth of forest and agroforestry seedlings is assisting in new income opportunities, sustainable land management, and forest landscape restoration. Additionally, the development of home gardens for Indigenous Pygmy households is reducing pressures on the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, promoting biodiversity and alternative livelihoods while protecting indigenous rights to land and tradition.
Nursery establishment with local communities in South Kivu © FAO/Benjamin DeRidder
Reviving Chilgoza Forests in Pakistan
Through their collaborative restoration efforts in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalaya region of Pakistan, TRI Pakistan has engaged indigenous communities in the restoration of Chilgoza Pine forests. These forests provide important resources to the local people, specifically chilgoza nuts that act as a critical source of income. With both economic and environmental value, the sustainable management of this land is vital. By involving local communities in seed ball production and distribution, as well as providing important training in sustainable management, over 200 hectares of degraded forest have been revived. This initiative has significantly improved the livelihoods of indigenous communities, fostering a sense of ownership, responsibility, and pride towards forest conservation.
“We are delighted to see the positive results of the restoration efforts in our area. It is truly making a significant impact.” Unat Baig, Chairman of the Chilgoza Forest Protection Committee
Chilgoza forest landscape in the Himalayan region of Pakistan © FAO/Christophe Besacier
Mangrove Restoration in Guinea-Bissau
In Guinea-Bissau, TRI is working with indigenous communities to restore mangrove ecosystems and rehabilitate rice fields that are essential to support the livelihoods of local people. As part of this project, TRI is providing equipment and training for women in various income-generating activities such as agriculture, oyster farming, and salt production. Focus has been placed on environmentally friendly practices, with the aim of increased efficiency and income for women. This project is giving women the power to foster long-term change, enhance community resilience, and improve food security and income.
Why Indigenous Groups are Essential in Environmental Restoration
Environmental restoration cannot occur without the aid of local and Indigenous communities, whose deep-rooted understanding of the land is essential for effective restoration. With livelihoods that are intrinsically tied to the land, collaboration is key in identifying and creating viable solutions. Valuable Indigenous knowledge guides TRI projects, ensuring that restoration efforts are both sustainable and relevant. This community engagement fosters a sense of pride and responsibility, and by empowering local people through training and awareness, TRI is able to promote social equity and maximize benefits reaped by both the locals and the land.
A Kalash woman crafting © FAO/ Faizul Bari
The Restoration Initiative’s efforts to uplift Indigenous communities demonstrate the profound impact of integrating traditional knowledge and practices into environmental restoration. By listening to local voices, identifying relevant issues, and forging collaborative solutions, TRI can assist in critical land restoration across the globe. These projects have shown the inextricable link between Indigenous communities and sustainable outcomes on the road to long-term success.