Source: Cool Earth
Leaders from communities of Ashaninka, Aguaruna-Huambisa, Yine, Ese-Eja and Machiguenga ethnic groups met for a second time last week to discuss ways of saving their rainforest while developing economically viable portfolios of sustainable forest products.
The meeting took place at a rainforest eco-tourism lodge owned and operated by the indigenous community of Infierno located on the Tambopata river in the south eastern Peruvian Amazon, a region threatened by out-of-control gold mining and the completion of a new highway linking, for the first time, Brazil's Atlantic coast with the Pacific coast of Peru.Each of the native leaders brought different experiences and resources to the table, sharing these among the group which also incorporates sustainable entrepreneurs from 6 different companies that already work with indigenous communities. Known provisionally by the name "Deep in Forest", the group thrashed out it's core values and basic mission as well as analysing some of the potential products which, together, they hope to bring to market in the very near future.
Their agreed values focused on "respect", "sustainability", "flexibility", "transparency" and a "long term view". In terms of "respect", the group defined this as:
* respect for all life in the forest to assure its' continued existence and well being
* respect between indigenous communities and the sustainable companies that form the group
* respect for cultural values and ancestral knowledge and wisdom
* respect for the communities' territorial rights and the importance of self-determination
In terms of "sustainability", the group agreed to generate economic and social incentives to maintain the forest biodiversity and to add value to the community-owned forests.
Eco-tourism in indigenous communities and bio-jewellery (like that available from the UK Charity Cool Earth) made from rainforest seeds and fibres are among the first products the group hope to develop.