Paper short abstract:

The creation of protected areas is in the first place an idea of those who know their forest destruction potential. Indigenous peoples like the Sengwer fail to understand why an area would be protected, protected from who? The relationship between these communities and their forest are symbiotic, their survival and that of the forest are so interdependent and has ensured the conservation of the forest for many years. Creating walls between these communities and their forests fuels evictions and exposes the forest to exploitation by those who have no long-term relationship with the forests.

Paper long abstract:

Brief bio: Milka is a Sengwer community leader from Kenya, who works tirelessly to support her community. She works with FPP, CLAN and ICCA - coordinating ICCA’s defending Territories of Life programme, and coordinating the Community Land Act Now network (CLAN) in Kenya. She will soon be undertaking a PhD in Anthropology.