02/28/2025
UN World Wildlife Day (March 3)
Nature conservation and human rights are not contradictory – Solidarity with the Maasai in Tanzania
On the occasion of UN World Wildlife Day (March 3), the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) would like to draw attention to the systematic displacement of the indigenous Maasai in Tanzania. Under the guise of nature conservation, the Maasai have been displaced from their ancestral lands in the north of the country for decades – to clear land for (hunting) tourism and other commercial interests, such as CO₂ offset areas.
“The concept of so-called ‘fortress conservation’, which aims to separate man and nature, is not only destroying the Maasai communities in Tanzania, but is also counterproductive for the preservation of biodiversity,” explained Laura Mahler, STP expert on sub-Saharan Africa. “This concept of nature conservation is based on a racist ideology of colonial times, which on the one hand aims to convey the idea of an ‘untouched wilderness’ – but also the notion that Indigenous peoples are unable to take care of their land themselves. In fact, however, the Maasai have been living harmony with nature for many generations, and they actively contribute to the protection of flora and fauna. Their traditional practices are based on the concept of sustainability.”
In 2024, the Maasai presented their vision of a sustainable alternative to the concept of fortress conservation. The “Maasai Conservation Vision” focuses on the cultural, ecologic, and spiritual connection of the Maasai with their land – showing that they have been coexisting with the wild animals for centuries. The document was drafted by Maasai elders, women, and youth from 26 villages in the north of Tanzania, and it was published by the Maasai International Solidarity Alliance (MISA), of which the STP is a member. “The separation of indigenous peoples from nature contradicts the principles of effective and universal nature conservation,” Mahler said. “Due to the Maasai’s close relationship with nature, they are often the first to notice environmental changes and potential hazards.”
In addition to the expulsions for the sake of tourism, the Maasai are also under growing pressure due to so-called CO₂ offset projects. “Under such programs, large areas of land are reserved for carbon sequestration, restricting the Maasai’s access to grazing land, water sources, and other important resources. Often, this takes place without regard of the concept of free, prior, and informed consent from the communities affected,” the human rights advocate criticized. The “Maasai Conservation Vision” clearly warns that CO₂ offset projects could become another form of land theft.
The Maasai are demanding an end to the forced evictions and an official recognition of their traditional land rights and their knowledge of how to treat nature and wild animals. The survival of the Maasai and the protection of biodiversity are inseparably linked. The STP renewed its appeal to the government of Tanzania, as well as the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau, to respect the rights of the Maasai and to stop all investment projects if respect for human rights cannot be guaranteed. Sustainable nature conservation is only feasible if the Indigenous population is involved in a respectful manner.