From Jack Vanderryn, the Moriah Fund.

• Author: Vanderryn, Jack
• Position: FROM READERS - Letter to the Editor

In his article "A Challenge to Conservationists," Mac Chapin has raised important issues that need debate and constructive discussion. We appreciate publication of his article for this purpose.

The key point we have raised in the dialogue that we have participated in with the large international conservation organizations is that any conservation projects that are planned to take place on indigenous lands or lands owned by local peoples, particularly the large scale efforts that are currently under way or under consideration, need to be planned and designed from the outset with the full participation on an equal partner basis by the affected local and indigenous communities. This is also true when some of the NGOs, such as The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and Conservation International, negotiate with oil and mining companies to minimize the environmental impact and potential loss of biodiversity of their operations and to enter into arrangements to mitigate any negative environmental impact that such operations may cause. It is incumbent upon these NGOs to fully involve local and indigenous groups in any such negotiations from the outset.

Often these large conservation organizations indicate that their policies and actions fully...