A/HRC/27/66 2. Environmental and geographical factors 33. Environmental protection and the strengthening of ecosystems is an essential ingredient in building disaster resilience.18 The close relationship of indigenous peoples with their lands and territories makes them extremely vulnerable to changes and damage to the environment. Indigenous peoples often inhabit lands that are risk-prone (e.g. low-lying coastal areas or steep mountain slopes). Making them even more vulnerable is the fact that infrastructure development and resource extraction frequently take place on or close to their lands and territories, even though the community itself is often not involved in creating the added risk. 34. The decline of ecosystems is due to human activities such as road construction, pollution, wetland reclamation and unsustainable resource extraction, the impact of which can often increase disaster risk. Activities such as illegal logging, deforestation for agriculture, the destruction of mangroves, and mining, as well as large-scale plantations and energy projects, contribute to changes in climate patterns, which can threaten the health and livelihoods of indigenous peoples and can increase their exposure to disasters. For example, in Peru (a country with 52 indigenous peoples, who represent a significant proportion of the country’s population),19 the opening of new roads down the eastern slopes of the Andes and into the central jungle in order to extend the agricultural frontier has led to a notable increase in the number of reported landslides in that region since the 1980s.20 In South-East Asia, the destruction of a rainforest to establish palm oil plantations has led to increased flooding risk. 3. Vulnerable livelihoods 35. As noted above, indigenous peoples often live in marginal and fragile ecosystems, such as tropical and temperate forest zones, low-lying coastlines, high mountainous areas, floodplains and riverbanks. These areas are some of the most threatened by climatic uncertainties and unpredictable extreme weather events that can severely impact the lives of indigenous peoples, since their livelihood systems are directly dependent on their ecosystems. With livelihoods dependent on agriculture and the biodiversity of natural resources, which are particularly sensitive to climate change, indigenous peoples may face lower agricultural productivity and reduced access to food and other materials collected from the natural environment. Their economy, social organization, identity, and cultural and spiritual values can likewise be adversely affected.21 36. Indigenous peoples in rural areas may be impacted more severely. Rural populations face difficulties with communications, a lack of access to government and financial institutions, and fewer opportunities to make a living. The experience of the Tarahumara community during the drought that affected Mexico in 2012 is a case in point. This indigenous community, which relies on farming as its sole source of income, endured a 18 19 20 21 10 UNISDR, How to Make Cities More Resilient: A Handbook for Local Government Leaders. Available from www.unisdr.org/files/26462_handbookfinalonlineversion.pdf (accessed 4 August 2014). Ministry of Culture of Peru. Base de Datos de Pueblos Indígenas u Originarios. Available from bdpi.cultura.gob.pe/alcance-de-la-base-de-datos (accessed 4 August 2014). UNISDR, 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction. Available from www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/gar/press/documents/UNISDR_insert_2-DRdrivers_prFINALl-r.pdf (accessed 4 August 2014). Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change Adaptation in Asia (2012), p. 2.