The Act encompasses Rights of Self-cultivation and Habitation which are usually regarded as Individual rights; and Community Rights as Grazing, Fishing and access to Water bodies in forests, Habitat Rights for PVTGs, Traditional Seasonal Resource access of Nomadic and Pastoral community, access to biodiversity, community right to intellectual property and traditional knowledge, recognition of traditional customary rights and right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource for sustainable use.

This guidance focuses on knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples, as distinguished from “local ecological knowledge” held by long-time residents in an area, or long-term participants in an activity or industry. Although such local knowledge has importance to NOAA’s work, the focus of this guidance is on the inclusion of knowledge from Indigenous Peoples.