Arajuno Jungle Lodge

Our Conservation Projects

Health, Food, and Biodiversity Improvement

Background
The Arajuno River, located in the upper reaches of the Amazon basin in eastern Ecuador, is an area where indiscriminate fishing with dynamite and other illegal and dangerous practices is putting at risk the health of the local Indigenous Quichua population. The overall result of these fishing practices, coupled with one of the highest deforestation rates in the Ecuadorian Amazon (approximately 2% annually), is a continued degradation of the environment, human health and the local economy. Amongst the Quichua Indians, 40% suffer from chronic malnutrition. The infant mortality rate is 60% for children under the age of 5 years old and 80% of the indigenous population live at or below the official level of poverty established by the Ecuadorian government.

We have recently discovered that the same area where fishing with dynamite takes place is also the home of the Southern River Otter, a species listed as endangered in the CITIES red book. One active den has been found directly in front of Arajuno Jungle Lodge on the banks of the Rio Arajuno.
Fishing with dynamite and other illegal means is not a part of the traditional culture of the native population. This practice was introduced approximately 15-25 years ago by colonists at a time when, according to the older natives, large fish were abundant in the river and fishing pressure was low. This reduction in fishing quality and quantity coupled with an increased human population is suspected to be a contributing factor to the high level of malnutrition. It is believed that the high level of malnutrition is due to reduced sources of natural protein plus an unbalanced diet from increased consumption of processed foods introduced by the outside world.

Goals

1. Improve the health and well being of the Quichua Indians living along the Arajuno River by providing alternative sources of protein through small scale aquaculture projects and a series of health and environmental education workshops to improve nutritional practices and sustainable use of natural resources.

2. Provide alternative income sources by selling aquaculture products and increase tourism through the promotion of sport fishing and training local natives as fishing guides.

3. Improve the overall biodiversity of the zone through decreasing the level of illegal and devastating fishing with dynamite.

4. Create a model of sustainable development using local resources that can be replicated in other parts of the Amazon basin where similar problems exist.

How We Plan to Accomplish These Goals

1. Establish a data bank of baseline information including past and ongoing projects by other organizations to address the problems stated in this proposal and to avoid duplication of efforts and repetition of errors. It will also serve to identify areas and actors with whom the project can be implemented.

2. Develop alternative sources of protein through the design and construction of at least 5 family scale aquaculture systems annually incorporating at least 2 native aquatic species with interested families over a period of 5 years.

3. Conduct at least 5 health and environmental education workshops annually to provide information and alternatives to empower the native Quichuas to improve their own health and economic well being.

4. Utilize the local population in the construction and maintenance of the aquaculture systems as a means to support the local economy and capacitate the natives so that they become promoters to further develop the project in other parts of the Amazon basin through information exchange programs.

Project Design and Implementation Plan
Project activities include investigation, development of a model aquaculture project, health and environmental education workshops, monitoring and control efforts and the development of economic incentives and alternatives to the current illegal practices.
The problem of malnutrition due to the introduction of nontraditional foods and a depletion of traditional food sources is relatively new and requires innovative solutions. Aquaculture with native species in this region of the Amazon is not well researched nor currently practiced in general. For this reason it is necessary to develop a small scale model for investigative and promotional purposes. This model will be installed in the local area and be used to teach the native peoples how to build their own aquaculture systems. Technical assistance will be provided to help them in their efforts with an emphasis on teaching the participants how to install their own systems and follow up visits to assure the sustainability and multiplicity of the project.

In coordination with other national and international organizations, a series of health and environmental education workshops are needed in the Indigenous communities. These workshops must be designed to capacitate the local population in proper nutritional and sanitary practices as well as the importance of environmental protection and sustainable uses of their natural resources such as ecotourism.
The desired results of these project efforts are to improve the health of the local Quichua population through providing them the means to produce their own sources of high quality protein through family scale aquaculture projects using native species found locally. The aquaculture projects will be linked to workshops teaching proper nutritional, sanitary and sound environmental practices. Improved health should also contribute to less family income going towards health problems and more towards preventative health measures.

It should be noted that while the focus of this project is the Arajuno River in Ecuador, the situation amongst the native peoples throughout the Amazon basin is similar. Therefore it is extremely important that this project be supported and successful in order for it to be replicated in other parts of the Amazon.

Monitoring and Evaluation
In the investigative phase of the project, a base line of data will be established to measure project advances. This data base shall include the number of persons and families to be directly and indirectly involved and general information concerning their current health and economic status. From the base line data, annual targets will be established and a calendar of activities developed. The activities will include a monthly evaluation of progress. Actual incidences of illegal fishing will be documented and monthly results will be analyzed to identify in what communities further work is needed. This monitoring of illegal fishing will also serve as a means to employ other methods of control to reinforce the efforts of local law enforcement agencies.