Mongabay · Climate & nature

Study: Indigenous land return in Chile shows mixed environmental results

A study analyzing the restitution of over 200,000 hectares of land to Mapuche communities in Chile found that while it led to increased grasslands and reduced non-native tree plantations, it did not significantly improve natural forest cover, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, or erosion control.

The research challenges the assumption that Indigenous land restitution automatically leads to environmental restoration, emphasizing that the primary goals of such returns are historical justice and self-determination, not necessarily conservation.

Researchers noted that much of the returned land was already degraded from past agricultural use, and Mapuche livelihoods have evolved since the 16th century, with livestock becoming central.

The study analyzed satellite and administrative data from 36 Mapuche communities between 1994 and 2022, comparing land use before and after restitution under Chile's Indigenous Land and Water Fund (FTAI).

The FTAI program aims to address historical dispossession by purchasing land and transferring ownership to Indigenous communities, though the land titling process has been criticized for slowness.

The findings suggest that environmental outcomes depend on various factors, including the initial condition of the land and the presence of strong community institutions for management.

Experts caution against evaluating land restitution solely on environmental metrics, stating that Indigenous rights are based on historical dispossession and the right to self-determination, not on environmental performance.

The study's authors emphasize that environmental and economic impacts of land restitution should be assessed case by case, as impacts can vary significantly by region and context.

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