What’s blocking indigenous peoples and local communities in Nepal from claiming their biodiversity rights?

If you ask someone about the representation of Nepal’s indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), popularly known as biodiversity COP15, currently underway in Montreal, Canada, perhaps the first thing they would say is that the number of IPLC representatives is higher than that of the government delegates.

The government has sent a four-member delegation (but no ministers) to the event whereas six Nepalis representing IPLCs have arrived in Montreal. They are participating in different platforms and events, explaining how their ancestors saved the earth from devastation in the past and lobbying for their unrestricted rights to natural resources in the future.