In this episode of 'If I Ruled the World', host Gillian Burke explores the human cost of conservation with Survival International's Asia Campaigns Director, Sophie Grig. Conventional 'fortress conservation' models, rooted in colonial ideals of wilderness areas emptied of people, fenced off and defended, with brute force if necessary. Systemic human rights abuses, mass displacements of tribal peoples, and land grabs are the result.

Links & mentions

Survival International: For tribes, for nature, for all humanity

Black2Nature: Helping inner-city VME children connect with nature

WWF accused of deceit, cover-ups and dishonesty, 2021

Protecting Human Rights in International Conservation, US Congressional Hearing, 2021

WWF Funds Guards Who Have Tortured And Killed People, Buzzfeed News 2019

Conservation Refugees: When conservation means kicking people out

How Conservation Contributes to the Displacement of Indigenous People

https://worldostats.com/protected-land-areas-by-country-global-comparison-2025/

✍️ Sign up for the newsletter on gillianburkevoice.com

🤝 Connect with Gillian on Instagram or email podcast@gillianburkevoice.com

💚🌍✌🏾 Thanks for listening

35: I would DECOLONISE CONSERVATION with Sophie Grig (Survival International)