Ecuador incorporates 65 thousand new hectares of forest under conservation

In the province of Pastaza, birthplace of seven nationalities in the country, the event was held to incorporate 65,000 new hectares to the Socio Bosque II Project (PSB), which are under the custody of two Achuar communities: Mashientzi and Tinkias. This event was led by the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, with the support of the German Cooperation – KfW and the contributions of the strategic allies in the territory: Conservation International Ecuador and World Wildlife Fund – WWF.

The country and its authorities are committed to forest conservation.

Within the framework of the meeting, the forest conservation incentive of 158 thousand dollars was delivered to these communities, which will benefit more than 500 inhabitants, improving the living conditions of the Amazonian communities, providing access to basic services and promoting bioenterprises that help boost the local economy.

José Dávalos, Minister of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, noted that “our country reaffirms its commitment to take measures to mitigate climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation, which contributes to the preservation of the water sources and the care of flora and fauna. This project has ambitious goals for the future, and until 2025 we have the projection of conserving around 1.9 million hectares.”

For her part, Carolina Rosero, director of the Amazon Program at Conservation International Ecuador, highlighted the result of the commitment and leadership of Teresa Chiriapa, the first female president of the Achuar community of Mashientz, who had the technical support of CI-Ecuador. “Once again, the importance of the efforts of indigenous peoples and local communities, the world’s best allies for conservation, is demonstrated.”

Teresa Chiriapa, president of the Achuar Mashientz Community, indicated that “as a woman I feel very happy to achieve this dream of protecting the home of our ancestors, which provides us with sustenance for our families, through the forests and jungle. “I thank the Ministry for its trust and for this conservation initiative.”

The Socio Bosque Project is a national strategy whose main objective is the conservation of native forests, paramos and other native plant formations in Ecuador. Currently, it covers 77 ecosystems, meaning it protects the last remnants of dry and transitional forests. In addition, it improves indigenous governance systems by encouraging the associativity of rural communities.