Nature defenders murdered every three days, prompting community self‑defence units

An independent investigation by Global Witness released this week reveals that environmental and land defenders were murdered at a rate of one every three days throughout 2025, with 85 percent of the fatalities occurring in Latin America. The watchdog’s annual tally recorded 124 killings of individuals and activists who protect forests, rivers and indigenous territories, underscoring a sharp increase in violence against those confronting ecological crime.

The report attributes more than a third of the deaths to organised crime networks and professional hit squads, noting a direct link between narco‑trafficking operations and incursions into protected lands for illegal logging and wildcat gold mining. In response, several affected communities have begun forming self‑defence units to safeguard their members and territories. Global Witness warns that the convergence of drug‑related violence and environmental exploitation threatens both human rights and biodiversity, calling for stronger protection mechanisms and international attention to curb the lethal trend.