“The United Kingdom does not have indigenous peoples, or indigenous and local communities as understood under the Convention on Biological Diversity”[1]. Not sure what the Welsh or Scots will think of that?
Increasingly indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC) are regarded as key to the successful delivery of the Global Biodiversity Framework with IPLCs mentioned directly in 7 of the 23 targets. This acknowledges the unique role that their traditional, multi-generational and cultural knowledge plays in sustainable resource (plants, animals, land, water) management.
But arguably IPLC combines two different definitions. The 1989 Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention specifically addressed the rights of these communities through recognising their ethnic, social, cultural, economic and geographic identity[2]. The broader term ‘local communities’ was adopted to acknowledge communities who have specific identities tied to territories and natural resources and which employ customary practices transmitted through tradition – in other words they hold a collective knowledge[3].
Given this, I wanted to consider the idea that local communities based around traditional practices, as defined above, are present in the UK. We still have crofters and commoners although traditional fishing practices such as haaf netters and coracle fishermen have declined, largely due to concerns about such practices on declining salmon populations (the causes of which are many, both at sea and in the river). We have niche farming practices such as employed in the uplands, on the machair or on the salt marshes or islands around the coastline where a knowledge of tides and foreshores is vital to avoid disaster. We have many communities therefore that are brought together by a collective knowledge transmitted through generations.
Arguably grouse moors are part of this rich culture although I appreciate that this view may not appeal to all. But as we reported in a 12th August post, the sustainable harvesting of the red grouse following the monitoring of its breeding success through July counts, underpins a section of the rural community that relies on this both economically and socially. The underlying management of the moorland also employs traditional practices such as heather burning which involve a collective knowledge tied to the territory (the ground and how fire travels across it) and the natural resources on it (the heather). However, in the same vein as haaf netting and coracle fishing are affected by the widespread decline in salmon numbers, this practice is being restricted by concerns that are based in a much broader environmental debate – net zero.
Given that there are increasing calls for people to involve themselves in nature recovery (see for example Tony Juniper’s, Chair of Natural England, recent call for collective endeavour), it seems at odds for the UK governments to constrain and even extinguish communities whose role in supporting global conservation through their traditional and cultural knowledge is acknowledged elsewhere. As with all practices they evolve over time. Heather burning is an example with approaches changing from the long 20-30m wide strips of the 1990s to the cool burn, patch work approach pursued now; and in farming, regenerative farming techniques are learning the value of extractive and restorative phases in crop rotations from the past.
Indeed, arguably nature could be seen as a glue that binds the interests of people together, creating new communities with a common aim. The Martin Downs Farmer Cluster has involved the local community in nature recording increasing their knowledge of what is on their doorstep and helping the farmers and landowners record the benefits of their activities on biodiversity.
So whichever way you view it, if we want local communities involved in nature recovery, we need to embrace them all – new and traditional, urban and rural, recreational and sporting, economic and social, voluntary and professional, global and domestic.
(Note: These monthly musings are intended as interest pieces and to provoke thought. I do not pretend to have deep knowledge about the subjects I am covering or indeed to be comprehensive in my coverage. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy researching and writing them.)
[1] UK’s National Biodiversity strategy and action plan: Annex A the UK’s national targets. February 2025