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remaining bio-cultural diversity is concentrated on their lands. Regretfully however, their ecological practices (such as swidden agriculture, pastoralism and selection of socially relevant local crops and livestock breeds) are not understood by many mainstream development workers and researchers, and are often undervalued, even threatened, by some national governments. A transition to more sustainable, inclusive and ecological approaches, that can meet the livelihood and food security needs of all, requires bringing these marginalized guardians to center stage.In the past few decades, a number of development agencies, foundations, advo- cacy groups and social movements have started to pay greater attention to the agro-ecological activities of indigenous communities and express concern about the loss of their knowledge, culture and practices. Certain indigenous groups have had the opportunity to join regional, global or thematic networks and social105