Indigenous Biocultural Heritage for Sustainable Development

Although indigenous peoples have been living sustainably for generations, studies rarely consider the role of different elements of cultural heritage, and their inter-linkages with biodiversity, in promoting sustainable development. Using case studies of the Mijikenda in Kenya, Quechua in Peru, Naxi in China, and Lepcha and Limbu in India, this project studies how different elements of biological and cultural heritage are inter-connected in landscapes, and how this affects sustainable development. It is hoped that the findings of study will inform culture, environment and agriculture policymakers and international agencies, and catalyse the establishment of collectively managed biocultural heritage territories to promote sustainable development.