All articles tagged with #land protection
The Justice Department issued a legal opinion stating that Presidents, including Donald Trump, have the authority to revoke national monument designations made by previous presidents, challenging a long-standing interpretation of the Antiquities Act and potentially enabling the removal of protected lands for resource development. This stance has faced criticism from environmental groups.
President Biden plans to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by about 110,000 acres and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument by about 13,000 acres in California, both originally designated by Obama, to protect sacred sites for Native American tribes, conserve land, and expand public access to the outdoors. This expansion is part of Biden's efforts to utilize executive authority for conservation, adding to the 24 million acres of public lands conserved during his term, and could coincide with Earth Day.
Chief Raoni Metuktire, a prominent Indigenous leader from the Amazon, has called on Brazil's president to defend the rights of Indigenous people. In a letter, Chief Raoni demanded the removal of "invaders" from Indigenous territories and criticized the exclusion of Indigenous people from discussions on carbon credits. He also called for a concrete position on a court ruling that could strip Indigenous territories of their designations. The letter further demanded a halt to mining activities and agricultural partnerships that exploit Indigenous people. Chief Raoni's demands highlight the need for Indigenous participation and protection of their land in the face of deforestation and environmental degradation in the Amazon.
Alessandra Korap, an Indigenous leader from Brazil's Munduruku people, has won the Goldman Environmental Prize for her grassroots activism in defending her people's ancestral territory from illegal mining, logging, and other environmental crimes. Korap and other Munduruku women have organized demonstrations and presented evidence to authorities, while opposing illicit agreements and incentives offered by unscrupulous miners, loggers, corporations, and politicians seeking access to their land. The award recognizes activists around the world who are dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability.