Forests are more than carbon sinks or biodiversity hotspots—they are the home and heritage of millions of people around the world. From the tribal communities of India to the Indigenous youth of Indonesia, forest-dwelling peoples have long safeguarded these ecosystems through deep cultural ties and traditional knowledge. Yet, without secure land rights, their ability to steward these landscapes remains under constant threat.
At Cadasta, we have seen firsthand how essential secure land and forest rights for Indigenous Peoples and local communities are in protecting forests and combating the global climate crisis. When communities have legal recognition of their land, they not only invest in sustainable livelihoods but also lead transformative environmental restoration and conservation efforts.
This International Day of Forests, we are spotlighting four inspiring examples of how land rights–backed by technology, training, and community leadership–are advancing forest protection and climate resilience.
India | From Encroachers to Environmental Stewards in Gujarat
In Gujarat, India, generations of tribal families were long considered “encroachers” on forest land they had cultivated and protected for decades. Lacking legal land titles, they lived with the daily threat of eviction and exclusion from government support.
That began to change when Cadasta partnered with local NGO ARCH-Vahini to scale up land rights recognition under India’s Forest Rights Act (FRA). Using Cadasta’s GIS-based mapping tools and field-ready apps like Survey123 and Field Maps, the team documented over 64,000 parcels of forest land across 14 tribal districts. Since 2023, with support from UK International Development from the UK government, an additional 17,000 hectares have been mapped for 13,000 households–including 700 women-headed households.
Since documenting their forest land and receiving government titles, over 1,6000 families have invested more than $1 million USD in land improvements. Once barren land now yields multiple crops, incomes have tripled, and communities are leading reforestation and soil conservation efforts on their titled land. Women like Nanduben and Bamniben, alongside their husbands, are now respected landowners and farmers.
“We are no longer seen as encroachers but as proud farmers” -Vasava Khansingbhai Jatariya, Gujarat, India
Indonesia: Youth Leading the Way in Forest Mapping and Ancestral Land Protection
In Indonesia, youth from Ngata Tompu and Kasepuhan Jamrut Indigenous communities are using smartphones and GIS tools to protect their forests and preserve their cultural heritage. Since early 2024, Cadasta has been working with Indonesian partner JKPP to train young people in participatory mapping of ancestral lands.
Armed with Cadasta’s mobile mapping technology, 28 young leaders have documented more than 8,200 hectares of Indigenous territory–including sacred forests, rice paddies, and community gathering places. Through hands-on training and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, these youth are not only collecting data but also advocating for land rights and sustainable forest governance.
“Through accurate mapping, I hope to help preserve our forests for future generations.” – Andri, youth mapper from Kasepuhan Jamrut
This effort is already influencing policy discussions and formal land recognition processes in Indonesia, proving that when equipped with the right tools and support, young people are powerful agents of change in forest conservation.
Myanmar | Indigenous-Led Conservation at Scale in Thawthi Taw-Oo Indigenous Park
Spanning over 1.4 million acres in southeastern Myanmar, the newly established Thawthi Taw-Oo Indigenous Park is a landmark achievement for the Karen people and a model for Indigenous-led conservation. Officially declared in December 2024, the park protects rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and the ancestral territories of over 110,000 Karen people.
The park’s creation was made possible through nearly a decade of collaboration between Cadasta, the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN), and the Kawthoolei Land Data Management Center (KLDMC). With Cadasta’s GIS tools and training, local stakeholders mapped and zoned the park’s boundaries–including community forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and sacred areas–ensuring community ownership over both the process and the outcome.
Guided by a new Charter, the park’s governance model is inclusive and democratic, with Indigenous women and men equally represented in decision-making. By linking with neighboring Indigenous conservation zones, the park contributes to a larger, connected corridor of protected forest land, making it not only a cultural stronghold but a powerful solution to climate change and biodiversity loss.
Ghana | Strengthening Land Rights and Forest Protection in Forest Fringe Communities
In Ghana’s Obogu Traditional Area, forest fringe communities are using GIS mapping tools to secure customary land rights and promote sustainable farming practices. In partnership with local NGO COLANDEF, Cadasta has mapped over 657 land parcels, benefiting over 550 households.
This work is more than documentation–it’s a long-term investment in environmental protection and economic resilience. By combining traditional knowledge with modern mapping tools, local communities are not only defending their land from deforestation and land grabs but also improving yields and forest stewardship.
Traditional elders, local farmers, and volunteers participated in trainings to ensure inclusive, community-led implementation. The project has built local capacity to manage land sustainably and protect the surrounding forest, creating a powerful foundation for climate resilience and long-term livelihood security.
Commenting on the community-centered approach, COLANDEF noted,