"ಪವಿತ್ರ ನೈಸರ್ಗಿಕ ತಾಣಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಾಂತ್ಯಗಳ ಕಾನೂನು ಮಾನ್ಯತೆಗಾಗಿ ಒಂದು ಕರೆ, and their Customary Governance Systems” was released by Gaia Foundation and African Biodiversity Network. ವರದಿಯು ಆಫ್ರಿಕನ್ ಕಮಿಷನ್ ಆನ್ ಹ್ಯೂಮನ್ ಅಂಡ್ ಪೀಪಲ್ಸ್ ಅನ್ನು ಒದಗಿಸುತ್ತದೆ’ Rights with persuasive and substantive arguments relating to a core element of original African traditions and calls for a decisive policy and legislative response on the matter. Read the full report or visit the website of ಗಯಾ ಫೌಂಡೇಶನ್.

The report is based on a statement, by custodian communities from six African countries and provides a body of legal and policy support for the custodians’ statement, drawn both from the African Charter as well as from international and domestic law.

ಪವಿತ್ರವಾದ ಸ್ವಾಭಾವಿಕ ಸೈಟ್ಗಳು ಜೀವನದ ಮೂಲವಾಗಿದೆ. ನಾವು ಬರುತ್ತವೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಪವಿತ್ರವಾದ ಸ್ವಾಭಾವಿಕ ತಾಣಗಳು, ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳ ಹೃದಯದಲ್ಲಿ. ಅವರು ನಮ್ಮ ಮೂಲಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೇರಣೆಯಾಗಿವೆ. We cannot live without our sacred natural sites and we are responsible for protecting them. ಮೂಲ: ಉಸ್ತುವಾರಿ’ ಹೇಳಿಕೆ.

It reminds us that the African Charter commits member states to respect and maintain plural legal systems, and recommends that African countries should recognise a priori legal systems as part of their commitment to a proud African identity, to better navigate a development path where the integrity and heritage of the continent is maintained.
Key points of the report:

• Sacred natural sites play a critical role in protecting biodiversity, essential for building climate change resilience.
• Custodian communities, of sacred natural sites who maintain customary governance systems play an essential role in preserving the traditional values of Africa.
• Sacred natural sites are the bedrock of customary governance systems require legal protection.
• Plural legal systems include customary governance systems and form an essential component of respecting the essence of Africa,
• Sacred natural sites and territories should be recognised as no-go areas for mining and other destructive or extractive activities.

The report also calls for the recognition and protection of sacred natural sites from any form of destruction – including mining and land grabbing – as a prerequisite for realising African peoples’ inalienable rights enshrined in the Africa Charter, including the right to hold and practice traditional morals, values and culture. A discussion of global precedents, Africa’s plural legal systems and case studies from Benin, Ethiopia and Kenya are also included.

ಮೂಲ: adapted from ಗಯಾ ಫೌಂಡೇಶನ್.