CBD COP11 (10/10/2012) – Ashish Kothari of the Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group explains the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in protecting biodiversity, describing them as the original conservers of ecologically-rich land.

Kothari explains how his organisation wish to support indigenous and local communities in protecting their lands by securing safeguards from industrial development such as mines or dams.

Kothari also describes how communities are attempting to work together, forming networks to protect lands of environmental significance. He tells with dismay how centrally-led industrial development is presently managing to overpower the voices of local communities.