KnE Social Sciences
ISSN: 2518-668X
The latest conference proceedings on humanities, arts and social sciences.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the Law Toward Inclusive Environmental Governance
Published date: Oct 31 2025
Journal Title: KnE Social Sciences
Issue title: The 8th Legal International Conference and Studies (LICS 2025): Corporate Responsibility and Environmental Law Through Economic & Business Management Practices
Pages: 226 - 235
Authors:
Abstract:
Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) has been a key pillar in maintaining the sustainability of ecosystems by indigenous and local communities for centuries. TEK not only reflects a deep understanding of natural cycles and biodiversity, but also contains spiritual, social, and cultural values that shape sustainable resource management practices. However, the existence of TEK is still often marginalized in the formal legal framework that is more dominated by modern Western-based scientific approaches. This article examines the urgency of integrating TEK into national and international legal systems as part of efforts to build inclusive environmental governance. Through a juridical-normative approach and comparative analysis of case studies in Indonesia, Canada, and Brazil, this article highlights the importance of implementing legal pluralism, namely the recognition and coexistence of state law and customary law. It is found that strengthening the legal position of TEK can support environmental conservation, biodiversity protection, and community resilience to climate change. In addition, this article identifies key challenges in the integration of TEK, such as the recognition of indigenous land rights, protection of collective intellectual property, and guaranteeing cultural sovereignty. The discussion is strengthened by an analysis of international legal instruments such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which serve as normative bases in recognizing indigenous peoples’ rights.
Keywords: ecological, governance, indigenous, pluralism, traditional
References:
[1] Berkes F. Sacred Ecology. 4th ed. Routledge; 2018. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429493898.
[2] Brosius JP. Endangered forest, endangered people: environmentalist representations of Indigenous knowledge. Hum Ecol Interdiscip J. 1997;25(1):47–69.
[3] Choudhury B, Petrin M. Research methodology in legal scholarship. Law and Method. 2019; 10:1–17.
[4] Colchester M. Salvaging Nature: Indigenous Peoples and Protected Areas. World Rainforest Movement; 2004. https://www.wrm.org.uy/publications/salvaging-nature
[5] Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). (n.d.). Article 8( j): Traditional Knowledge, Innovations and Practices; 2011. https://www.cbd.int/traditional/
[6] Dutfield G. Protecting traditional knowledge: legal options and implications. Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice. 2021;1 6(2):98–107.
[7] Fonseca MG, Ribeiro BR, Costa MH, Coe MT. Indigenous lands at the core of forest conservation in the Amazon. World Dev. 2022; 141:105390.
[8] Hanna KS, Noble BF, Gilmour B. TEK integration in environmental assessments in Canada. Environ Impact Assess Rev. 2021; 89:106586.
[9] Hutchinson T. Doctrinal research: researching the jury. Journal of Commonwealth Law and Legal Education. 2019; 14(1): 5–23.
[10] Langton M. Decolonising conservation policy: indigenous peoples and ecological governance. Aust J Soc Issues. 2021; 56(2): 236–52.
[11] Nadasdy P. The politics of TEK: power and the integration of knowledge. Ecol Soc. 2023; 29 (2): 14.
[12] Nakashima D, Galloway McLean K, Thulstrup HD, Ramos Castillo A, Rubis J. Weathering uncertainty: Traditional knowledge for climate change assessment and adaptation. UNESCO; 2012. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000216613
[13] Posey DA, editor. Cultural and spiritual values of biodiversity. UNEP; 1999. https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/9063
[14] Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Republik Indonesia No. 35/PUU-X/2012; https://www.mkri.id/index.php?page=web.Putusan&id=82
[15] Raygorodetsky G. Indigenous peoples defend Earth’s biodiversity—but they’re in danger. Nat Sustain. 2020; 3(12): 913–5.
[16] Reyes-García V, Fernández-Llamazares Á, Guèze M, Garteizgogeascoa M, Orta- Martínez M. Traditional ecological knowledge and conservation: A literature review. Ambio. 2021; 50 (6): 1231–45.
[17] Siscawati M. Customary forest rights recognition in Indonesia: The case of Lore Lindu National Park. Int For Rev. 2021; 23 (4): 509–23.
[18] Smith LT, Sharp D. Epistemic justice and Indigenous knowledge systems: undoing epistemicide in environmental governance. Env Polit. 2021; 30 (3): 367–86.
[19] Soekanto S, Mamudji S. Penelitian Hukum Normatif: Suatu Tinjauan Singkat. Jakarta: RajaGrafindo Persada; 2001.
[20] Tobin B. Indigenous Peoples, Customary Law and Human Rights – Why Living Law Matters. Routledge; 2014. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315778792.
[21] United Nations. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); 2007. https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/ declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html
[22] Whittaker J. Indigenous governance and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC): A Canadian perspective. Can J Law Soc. 2021; 36 (3): 341–59.
[23] Wibisana AG. Environmental rights and pluralism: Lessons from Indigenous Peoples’ Law in Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan. 2020; 50 (3): 382–403.
[24] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Intellectual Property Needs and Expectations of Traditional Knowledge Holders: WIPO Report; 2001. https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/tk/768/wipo_pub_768.pdf
