Redefining conservation in world society : indigenous peoples’ challenges to green colonialism in the UNESCO World Heritage regime

The UNESCO World Heritage regime is increasingly becoming a contested platform for addressing historical injustices, with its legitimacy hinging on Indigenous-led conservation approaches. This study reveals that while the formal recognition of Indigenous rights has expanded within the regime, implementation often remains partial and decoupled from actual conservation practices. The research employs a comparative analysis across four sites—Manú National Park (Peru), Tongariro National Park (Aotearoa/New Zealand), Lake Bogoria (Kenya), and Pimachiowin Aki (Canada)—using qualitative content analysis of official UNESCO records from 1987 to 2023. It demonstrates how Indigenous actors and human rights institutions can influence the regime's openness to inclusive conservation, challenging persistent exclusionary practices rooted in 'green colonialism.' The study also highlights the potential of UNESCO's documentary repository for tracing institutional change and reconstructing organizational realities.

Rode, R. (2026). Redefining conservation in world society : indigenous peoples’ challenges to green colonialism in the UNESCO World Heritage regime [BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg]. https://doi.org/10.26127/BTUOPEN-7339