THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR METRICS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of Indigenous peoples in environmental preservation, emphasizing their sustainable practices and agricultural development metrics, traditional knowledge, and their contribution to biodiversity conservation. This exploratory, qualitative research demonstrates that Indigenous communities develop their own natural resource management systems, grounded in respect, reciprocity, and harmony with nature. These ways of life ensure ecological balance and the continuity of ecosystems, representing a model of sustainable coexistence. The study also addresses the challenges these populations face due to economic pressure, environmental degradation, and the lack of recognition of their territorial rights. The analysis highlights the importance of dialogue between traditional knowledge and contemporary science as a means to improve public policies and environmental management strategies. It concludes that valuing Indigenous peoples and their territories is essential for building a just, balanced, and sustainable environmental future in which cultural and ecological diversity is respected and strengthened.