Indigenous Lands

biodiversity

Debunking the Myth: Is 80% of Global Biodiversity Actually Located in Indigenous Lands?

For over two decades, a widely accepted claim has circulated through scientific and public discourse: that 80% of the world’s biodiversity is found on Indigenous lands. While this figure has been quoted extensively in various reports and scientific journals, recent research reveals that it is inaccurate. But does this undermine the important role of Indigenous Peoples in biodiversity conservation? Absolutely not. In fact, their contribution to protecting the natural environment is undeniable, but relying on an unsupported figure could do