‘They should leave us alone and go away’: Indigenous leaders protest against nature conservation projects that are forcing them off their land

Indigenous leaders from various continents are protesting against conservation projects that displace them from their ancestral lands. They argue that these initiatives, often labeled as 'fortress conservation,' restrict their traditional land use and decision-making rights. In Tanzania, Mirihai Ngilepoi highlights how a carbon-trading program limits grazing on Maasai lands, while in India, JA Shivu recounts the expulsion of her community for a tiger reserve. Both leaders emphasize the need for their voices in negotiations affecting their territories. They oppose commodification of nature and advocate for their rights under laws like India's Forest Rights Act. Despite some successes in reclaiming land, challenges remain as corporations and governments continue to impose restrictions on Indigenous communities.