Conservation's Dark Past: Rhino Horn Murder Cover-Up

Twenty years ago, a farmer in Nepal died after alleged torture by rangers investigating a stolen rhino horn. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reportedly intervened to have charges against the rangers dropped. This incident, resurfaced in 2019, exemplifies the problematic colonial legacy persisting in global conservation efforts, often prioritizing wildlife over human well-being, particularly for indigenous and marginalized communities.

The article asserts that conservation's history is steeped in injustice and racism, especially affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in the Global South. Wealthy elites and multinational corporations perpetuate this, mirroring colonial practices that displaced indigenous peoples for 'pristine' wilderness. Modern campaigns often still value animals over BIPOC individuals, as seen in India with the tiger Avni incident, where human victims were overlooked.

Scientists propose a framework for more inclusive conservation, supporting human rights and challenging exclusionary norms. They advocate for greater agency and rights for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), recognizing them as effective stewards of nature. Despite progress in conceptualizing coexistence, historical dispossession and marginalization of communities like the Jenu Kurubas and Van Gujjars remain prevalent, underscoring the need to actively dismantle these discriminatory practices.