Local decision making, rights of the people and sustainable management of the natural resources in the Dry Forest (Ecuador-Peru) Ceiba-Pilares.
NCI is working with people on both sides of the border to conserve the area’s biodiversity. |
The project Ceiba-Pilares is a binational initiative (Ecuador-Peru) of development and conservation planning to strengthen the local capacity to improve life conditions and to control the use of natural resources, recognizing the rights and responsibilities of the population, in a context of binationality and respect for local customs and resources. The geographic area of the project belongs to the Tumbesian Region, one of the most important biodiversity preservation regions in the world. In contrast to the natural wealth of the region, the people living in the rural communities are among the poorest in both countries.
So far, almost 370 families spread out in 11 Ecuadorian and 6 Peruvian communities have initiated an organizational process of participative management of an approximated area of 10,000 ha of dry forest. The activities around the process are: improving productive practices of breeding goat farming and beekeeping -native bees; the creation of community credit banks for corn plantations and other necessities that require financing; as well as a program of infant nutrition and growth, regulation of zones in areas of the forest for community and individual use, leaving out those areas meant for regeneration and conservation; at any time pursuing welfare and prosperity of the population which depends on the excellent management of their resources.
Contact us:
Bruno Paladines, bpaladip@naturalezaycultura.org (Ecuador).
Walter Ruiz, wruiz@natureandculture.org (Peru).
Donors: Community Fund, Heifer International, UICN-Holland, Birdlife International.
Period of implementation: March 2004-February 2008
