"Media Statement on the Threats of Eviction of Maasai Pastoralists in Loliondo Area and the Ngorongoro National Park in Tanzania"

In response to the unjust plan by the Government of Tanzania to evict at least 70,000 Maasai Indigenous pastoralists from their legally recognised customary land in Loliondo area in Tanzania, the Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI) is submitting this Open Letter to the Government of Tanzania and to the Otterlo Business Corporation urging them to stop this plan. 480 organizations and 4,747 concerned citizens from 133 countries have signed this letter, demonstrating far-reaching solidarity support for the affected Maasai Indigenous pastoralists from across the globe...

The eviction plan in Loliondo area aims to convert the land as wildlife hunting ground for the royal families of Dubai who owns the Otterlo Business Corporation...In the Ngorongoro National Park, another 70,000 Maasai pastoralists are also facing the threat of eviction, based on the recommendation of the UNESCO Heritage Commission to limit human presence and activities in the park under a fortress conservation approach. This disregards the fact that these Indigenous pastoralists have been living in harmony with their environment even before the declaration of their area as national park.