IUCN Director General’s statement on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2026

• August 09, 2026

Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Indigenous Peoples steward a significant share of the world’s ecologically intact landscapes and hold unique knowledge of the natural sites, ecosystems and species within their territories. Women in Indigenous communities often hold distinct traditional knowledge; their reproductive, medicinal and cultivation techniques maintain a close dialogue with conservation practices, including in Indigenous midwifery – which is the focus of this year’s International Day theme: “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being”.

Indigenous knowledge must bridge tradition, innovation: Experts

• August 09, 2026

Source: Morung Express

A two-day national seminar on “Sustainability, Innovation and Development of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Northeast India” concluded at Pfutsero Government College on August 6, with academicians, researchers and scholars deliberating on the relevance of indigenous knowledge in contemporary society. Sponsored by the Directorate of Higher Education, Nagaland, and organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and Department of History, Pfutsero Government College, the seminar was held from August 5 to 6.

The papers covered nine broad areas, including Indigenous Ethnic Food, Decolonising Indigenous Knowledge, Deconstructing Indigenous Historiography, Oral Narratives, Ethnomedical Practices, Performative Practices, Marriage Systems, Traditional Art and Architecture, Hunting and Fishing, and Agricultural Systems and Natural Resource Management.

Handloom weaving the future of Viksit Bharat

• August 07, 2026

Source: The Pioneer

The making of a developed nation is not defined by technology alone. It is shaped by the ability to transform enduring strengths into engines of future growth. As India advances towards Viksit Bharat 2047, we are investing in frontier technologies, strengthening manufacturing and building globally competitive industries. Yet one of our greatest strengths has been with us all along — our handloom tradition. On August 7, as India marks the 12th National Handloom Day, it is time to view handloom as a strategic sector for a world that values sustainability, authenticity and resilient supply chains.

India and Australia Sign Agreement on Access to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (CSIR-TKDL) to Strengthen Protection of Traditional Knowledge

• July 10, 2026

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and IP Australia have entered into an Agreement on access to CSIR’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (CSIR-TKDL) during the 3rd India–Australia Annual Summit held in Melbourne, Australia, on 9 July 2026. The Agreement was concluded in the presence of the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Anthony Albanese MP. Under the Agreement, IP Australia will gain access to the TKDL database to identify relevant prior art while examining patent applications in accordance with Australia's patent laws and examination procedures. The Agreement will facilitate more informed and efficient patent examination while helping prevent the grant of patents on knowledge that is already part of India's documented traditional heritage. The implementation of the Agreement will be overseen by Mr. Andrew Wilkinson, Commissioner of Patents, IP Australia; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR; and Dr. Viswajanani J. Sattigeri, Scientist-H and Head, CSIR-TKDL Unit.

New Indonesia roadmap aims to protect Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity

• July 02, 2026

Source: Mongabay

The Indonesian government is developing a roadmap to protect local wisdom in biodiversity conservation, a move aimed at strengthening the recognition and protection of Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) whose traditional practices have long safeguarded some of the country’s richest ecosystems.

The roadmap, the drafting of which began in June 2026, comes as Indonesia seeks to implement its commitments under the multilateral treaty Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF).

Ashtalakshmi – The North-East at the Heart of India’s Growth Story

• June 20, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

Over the past twelve years, the North-East has witnessed a remarkable shift in its development landscape. This change has been driven by sustained policy support, infrastructure expansion, and inclusive development initiatives. Improved road, rail, air, and digital connectivity have reduced geographic isolation. They have also strengthened regional integration and economic access. At the same time, major gains in access to water, sanitation, housing, healthcare, and education have improved quality of life. These improvements are visible across both urban and rural communities. The region has also emerged as a key pillar of India’s clean energy transition and Act East vision. This shift has been supported by investments in hydropower, gas infrastructure, and cross-border connectivity. Together, these efforts position Ashtalakshmi as a model of sustainable and inclusive development within Viksit Bharat.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launches ₹236 Crore Tripura Queen Pineapple Mission

• May 27, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, together with the Chief Minister of Tripura, launched the “Mission Queen Pineapple”, a ₹236 crore convergence-led initiative for pineapple cultivation and value chain development in the State of Tripura. The Mission is designed as a three-year implementation roadmap from Q2 FY2026 to Q4 FY2028 for promoting Tripura’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP) — the GI-tagged Queen Pineapple. 

Anchored by MDoNER , the Mission builds upon convergence with Schemes and interventions of the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Food Processing Industries, Commerce, MSME, APEDA, DPIIT, ICAR, CSIR, TRIFED, NERAMAC and the Government of Tripura for establishing an integrated pineapple value-chain ecosystem in the State.

Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launches the Mission on “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh"

• May 20, 2026

The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia,launched Mission on “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh — a Cluster-based Kiwi Cultivation and Value Chain Development Mission for the State of Arunachal Pradesh. The launch was graced in the august presence of Shri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Government of Arunachal Pradesh; Shri Manish Kumar Gupta, Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh and Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, MDoNER.

With an outlay of approximately ₹167 crore, Mission on Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh has been designed through a whole-of-government, convergence-led approach — anchored by MDoNER and woven together with the schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, along with NABARD, ICAR-CITH, APEDA, NERAMAC and committed private investors. The Mission has been shaped keeping in view the perspectives of every stakeholder in the value chain, ensuring that interventions reflect the ground realities and the aspirations of Arunachal's kiwi-farming communities.

Illegal Trade Networks Threaten Indigenous Peoples in Amazon: Report

• April 21, 2026

Source: Down to Earth

The expansion of illicit economies across the Amazon have entrenched systems of “criminal governance”, according to a report by Amazon Watch. These undermine Indigenous rights, territorial control and environmental stability.

The Amazon covers around 7.8 million square kilometres and is home to more than 2.2 million Indigenous people. However, criminal groups were found to be operating in at least 67 per cent of municipalities and deforestation, exceeding 88 million hectares since 1985, the researchers stated. The combined pressures of illicit economies and inadequate policy responses posed escalating risks to both Indigenous survival and the region’s ecological future, they said.

NCST Chairman Calls for Stronger Empowerment of Tribal Youth at Chakma Yuva Samvad in Delhi

• April 12, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

Emphasising the critical role of youth in shaping the future of tribal communities, Shri Antar Singh Arya, Hon’ble Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), called for intensified efforts towards education, skill development, and employment generation for tribal youth. He was addressing the “Chakma Yuva Samvad: Empowering Tribal Youth & Celebration of Bizu Festival” organised in the national capital New Delhi. A series of technical sessions and panel discussions were organised focusing on education, skill development, and employment opportunities for tribal youth and minority communities.