The link between environmental damage and pandemics is quite close. This has been brought to public attention by indigenous peoples for decades because natural heritage is so important for their survival. Through their local wisdom and their relationship to nature, the indigenous peoples have long known that environmental degradation is the source of disease.

In the context of the campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to listen to indigenous peoples, and to respect their local wisdom. The indigenous lands are home to most of the world's biodiversity. Hence the indigenous peoples have a lot to say about balancing our relationship with nature. This will reduce the risk of future pandemics.

Indigenous peoples are always looking for their own solutions to pandemics. They use local wisdom i.e. traditional knowledge and practices such as voluntary isolation and closure of their territories.

Once again, they have demonstrated their high capacity to adapt in spite of the complex environment.

Local wisdom comes at the right time. Conventional thinking does not provide a way out of the COVID-19 conundrum. We are destined for permanent deadlock unless everybody comes together and finds a solution that is to everybody's agreement.

There is a feeling that there is no simple solution unless it is achieved together. Fortunately the genius of the problem is that the solution is right there for those who appreciate the traditional wisdom of the indigenous peoples.

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