Environmental planning in indigenous territories: an analysis from Colombia

Abstract

Collectively titled Indigenous territories in Colombia, or resguardos, are areas where indigenous institutions exert territorial autonomy. In such context, Indigenous Peoples conduct environmental planning of their resguardos; however, this topic has been scarcely researched. This research aims at understanding indigenous environmental planning using the Resguardo El Duya of the Salia People, also known as Sáliba People, as a case study. Data collection was made through document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. The research shows that Saila People’s planning occurs at multiple levels, through two types of territorial strategies: structural and dynamic. Nevertheless, the extraction of hydrocarbons inside and outside the boundaries of the Resguardo, approved by non-indigenous authorities, hinders Salia People’s decision-making, and produces environmental impacts that cannot be solved through indigenous planning.