What do we know already? Questions for a grassroots discussion

As part of a grassroots discussion, these questions can help to get started with documentation by identifying what is known and deciding on areas where more may be useful. It is unlikely that all of this information will be available at the outset and that is fine. The discussion serves to get ideas about where and how to find some answers and can be a starting point to build more detailed documentation over time.
(See also Template).

…key features of the territory

  • Where is the territory of life and what areas / resources does it include?
  • Is the territory of life clearly defined, e.g., does it have clear boundaries?
  • Have these boundaries changed over time? How and why?
  • What is the approximate surface area of the territory of life?
  • Are there maps or GIS coordinates available?
  • Is there any overlap with protected areas or other areas governed by the state or other actors?
  • What is the condition of nature in the territory of life (e.g., excellent, good, threatened, poor, devastated)?
  • Is there existing documentation or information to back-up our responses to these questions?

Note: While it is helpful to know where the territory of life is, precise, fixed and delineated boundaries are NOT necessary.

… the custodian community

  • Where and how large is our custodian community?
  • Is our community sedentary or mobile? If mobile, do we have a specific transhumance territory?
  • What languages are spoken or used by our community?
  • Is our community homogeneous or are there major differences within it in terms of power, wealth, function, religion, language, ethnicity or other characteristics?
  • If so, are these differences reflected in the diverse ways we relate to our territory of life?
  • Does our community have a distinctive culture, ceremonies, institutions and/or norms?
  • If so, in what key ways do these distinctive aspects relate to the territory of life?
  • Is our community well off, comfortable, struggling, or poor and vulnerable?
  • Does our community have strong internal solidarity and strength, or are there significant internal divisions and tensions?
  • Is there existing documentation or information to back-up our responses to these questions?

… values of the territory

  • Does our community use a specific name to talk about our territory of life? If yes, which name?
  • What are the crucial values or benefits of the territory of life for our community? For instance, is it a source of food, water, income? Is it used for ceremonial gatherings or other cultural or spiritual purposes?  Does it preserve the memories or the bodies of the ancestors?  Does it conserve resources for times of scarcity or social upheaval?  Does it prevent environmental disasters?  Is it related to the community identity and worldview?  Is it important to conserve biological diversity (e.g., are there endemic species or ecosystem functions that are well known and appreciated or protected?)
  • Is the territory of life equally enjoyed and appreciated within our community? If not, who is more interested and why?
  • What values (if any) does the territory of life have for people that do not belong to our community?
  • Is there existing documentation or information to back-up our responses to these questions?

… governance and management—ways of making and respecting decisions and caring for the territory of life

  • What are our community’s main objectives for caring for the territory of life?
  • How and by whom are the main decisions made about the territory of life?
  • How are different groups – including women and youth – involved in this decision making?
  • When was the governing body (or bodies) created and how and why has it changed?
  • Was the governing body (or bodies) created by our community, or by another institution, or both?
  • What specific decisions – e.g. zoning and other plans and rules – have we adopted for the territory?
  • Are our decisions clear and well-known to all?
  • Who physically manages the territory and implements the decisions taken by the governing body?
  • Is there a monitoring system for the management results and, if so, who is involved and why?
  • How do our community members learn about the rules and engage with the territory of life?
  • Does our community take action to ensure that others know about and respect our decisions and rules regarding the territory of life (e.g., rules of access and use)? How?
  • Are our community’s collective rights and responsibilities to govern the territory recognized? If yes, what kind of recognition is this (customary and/or statutory; de facto/de jure)?
  • Do external actors recognize and respect the community’s collective rights and responsibilities and the territory of life in practice? Are there significant conflicts over land tenure and/or use of natural resources?
  • Is there existing documentation or specific information to back-up our responses to these questions?