equip the amazon
A key PAWA objective is the provision of material assistance, education and other training to develop and improve the knowledge, skills, professional standards and the status of protected area workers in developing countries throughout the world.
Equip the Amazon is putting this objective in to action!
Tumucumaque Indigenous Park
Located in the north-east of Brazil, Tumucumaque Indigenous Park (too-moo-koo-MAH-key) encompasses more than 4.2 million hectares of Amazon rainforest. This area contains an incredibly high level of biodiversity and is also home to numerous indigenous communities. Many of these communities live traditional lifestyles and some are extremely isolated, yet to be impacted by the outside world.
In comparison with other regions of the Amazon, sheer inaccessibility combined with a relatively sparse population has prevented exploitation of the land and of the indigenous peoples that live here. More than 95% of the reserve is considered ‘untouched’.
However, these lands are coming under ever increasing threats, from deforestation to make way for agriculture to illegal mining and timber extraction. Traffic in animals and the establishment of illegal landing strips are also becoming increasingly problematic.
The partners
Amazon Conservation Team Brazil (ACT Brazil) is a non-government organisation working in partnership with indigenous people to conserve biodiversity, health and culture in the Brazilian Amazon. In recognition of the inextricable link between people and nature, ACT Brazil aims to protect biological diversity by strengthening local culture and building local conservation capacity.
Associaçao dos Povos Indígenas Tiriyo, Kaxuyana e Txikiyana (APITIKATXI) represents indigenous park rangers from Tumucumaque Indigenous Park, and was the first indigenous ranger association to become a full member of the IRF.
What we’re doing
Together we are helping to build capacity within the indigenous communities of Tumucumaque, helping them protect these high conservation value lands from external threats and managing them sustainably into the future.
The Guardaparques (Park Rangers) of Tumucumaque are operating across a large and remote landscape without any of the basic essential equipment many protected area workers rely on day to day.
PAWA is working directly with ACT Brazil and APITIKATXI to improve this situation by sourcing equipment such as uniforms and backpacks, gps’s and digital cameras, laptops, radio communications, solar power and outboard motors.
This equipment is being sourced through donations, either as direct donations of items, sponsorship or donations of funds to purchase appropriate items in Brazil.
PAWA is also supporting ACT Brazil’s ongoing program of indigenous ranger training. This training is undertaken in the classroom and in the field, covering a wide range of subjects from general environmental protection practices to legislation, and field skills including mapping and GPS use, radio operation, and fire fighting. PAWA members have attended two training programs in 2008 and 2009.
Finally, we are also looking into exchange opportunities that will see protected area workers from NSW experience the realities of land management and protection in a remote Brazilian landscape, and in return having Guardaparques (Park Rangers) from Tumucumaque Indigenous Park to experience protected area management in Australia.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Donate funds for the purchase of other essential much-needed basic equipment plus things like fuel for generators and transport.
- Donate essential equipment for management operations. This includes:
- Backpacks
- Uniforms
- Safety equipment
- Camping equipment
- First aid kits
- GPS units
- Binoculars
- Digital cameras
- Laptops
- Radio communication equipment, both portable and base stations
- Solar power units
- Outboard motors
- Purchase some delicious Yachana Jungle Chocolates.
- Pass this story on to others so they can become involved too.
For more information, please email Tegan Burton or ph: (02) 9472 9322
