4 -… indigenous communities’ free, prior and informed consent before approving projects that could affect their lands or territories and other resources. This is because, although the Colombian State has included in its legal order a wide range of rights intended to recognize, guarantee, and uphold the constitutional rights and principles of pluralism and ethnic and cultural diversity in the nation within the framework of the Constitution, the recognition of the collective rights of indigenous peoples is governed by legal and administrative provisions, in line with the objectives of the State and with principles such as the social and ecological function of property as well as State ownership of the subsoil and nonrenewable natural resources. Accordingly, in those territories indigenous peoples exercise their own political, social, and judicial organization. By constitutional mandate, their authorities are recognized as public State authorities with special status and, as regards judicial matters, recognition is given to the special indigenous jurisdiction, a significant advance compared to other countries of the region. ••• 51 • • •