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The Seykún community of the Arhuaco people has implemented a strategy of peaceful territorial recovery in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, by purchasing land to protect sacred sites and restore ecosystems. Guided by the 'Ley de Origen' (Law of Origin), the community has achieved significant ecological regeneration, including a 63% increase in forest cover between 2010 and 2022. While the community is exploring international recognition frameworks such as TICCA (Territories and Areas Conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities) and OECM (Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures), they maintain a cautious approach to ensure these mechanisms do not compromise their spiritual autonomy or indigenous leadership.

The report examines Colombia's transition from a centralized conservation model to an inclusive approach that recognizes the role of Indigenous peoples, local communities, and private landowners. It evaluates the current state of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP) and the emerging framework of OECMs, identifying systemic barriers such as land tenure insecurity, armed conflict, and an extractivist development model. Through case studies of private, Afro-descendant, and Indigenous territories, the document highlights that effective conservation often stems from cultural and spiritual motivations rather than economic incentives. It concludes with recommendations to harmonize land tenure rights, close the environmental financing gap, and integrate OECMs into national territorial planning to meet the global 30x30 biodiversity target.