BIO Nicholas Barla

Nicholas Barla is an ‘Oraon’ representative from the Indigenous/Tribal community of Odisha, India. A seasoned social activist, he brings over 30 years of experience in sustainable development, environmental protection, and the defense of Indigenous and human rights. With academic backgrounds in law, sociology, and business management, Nicholas works to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in development initiatives that impact Indigenous communities.

He has contributed to key legislative processes in India, including the drafting of the Forest Rights Act (2006), the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act (2010), and the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (2013). He also served as an advisory member to the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in 2014.

Internationally, he was part of the Steering Committee for the International Year of Indigenous Languages (2019) at UNESCO on behalf of Asia. Currently, Nicholas serves as a member of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Forum (IPAF) and is on the Standard Committee of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), where he continues advocating for equity, justice, and the voice of Indigenous peoples in global frameworks.