Amazon Conservation Project
Supporting the indigenous peoples of Amazonia protects the rainforest. Satellite images clearly show that deforestation is lower in Brazil's indigenous territories than in other areas.
In recent years, however, attacks on protected areas and indigenous territories have intensified. Weak law enforcement and a lack of will to expand protected areas pose a threat to biodiversity and local communities. These developments have shown that protection cannot depend solely on the state. In 2018, we therefore started the land purchase initiative.
Together with our partners in Brazil, the Instituto Yubekã, we are in the process of acquiring an area of 16,800 hectares (about the size of Mannheim, Germany) in the municipality of Jordão, in the state of Acre, Brazil. The country consists mostly of primary forest. The area will serve to protect biodiversity and the traditional way of life of the Huni Kuin people.
Uncontacted Indigenous Groups
Fortunately, the region around Jordão still has large areas of contiguous forest. On both the Brazilian and Peruvian sides, groups of indigenous people still live in voluntary isolation from the outside world (isolados). They are sighted at regular intervals in the area of the upper Tarauacá River, where the protected area is located. In recent years, they have been increasingly pushed back into Brazil due to mining activities in Peru. The protected area is therefore an important buffer zone for the protection of the isolados.
The purchase contract is signed!
In May 2022, the time had come: After almost five years of work, we reached our fundraising goal for the land purchase of €300,000 and were finally able to sign the purchase contract. This is a milestone! The amount has already been transferred to the owner. In concrete terms, this means: We can start implementing the projects!
Next steps
Together with our partners, the Instituto Yubekã, we will implement the following projects on the land:
Establishing a foundation
In order to permanently secure the land from exploitation, it is transferred to a foundation. This is currently in the process of founding. Representatives of Living Gaia e.V., the Instituto Yubekã, and the Huni Kuin will be represented on the board of trustees. In the long term, the Huni Kuin should have full autonomy over the land.
Biodiversity Management
The newly established conservation area is intended to help the flora and fauna in the region recover. The first step is a biodiversity inventory. Based on this, we create a management plan for sustainable use together with the local population, based on the "Reserva Extrativista" model.
Monitoring
In order to keep the area permanently protected from illegal clearing and removal of animals and plants, we will monitor it using satellite data and remote sensing. In addition, the local population will contribute to the monitoring with the help of interactive apps.
Agroforest systems and food security
Guaranteeing local food security is a key priority. A plan for an agroforestry system has already been drawn up. In the next phase, this will be implemented together with the people living in the countryside. In addition, we will encourage the breeding of small animals to protect the endemic ones.
Support the Conservation project
As a non-profit association, we depend on donations.
Here you can directly support the land purchase project.
To do this, enter the keyword "land purchase" in the "Subject" field.
All donations are tax deductible.
You can donate by bank transfer to our association account
Living Gaia e.V.
IBAN: DE48 4306 0967 1150 1986 00
BIC: GENODEM1GLS
or via our donation page