The region of Loreto is an immense expansion of green in the north eastern Peruvian Amazon. In its more than 350,000 square kilometers (28% of Peru's territory), there are 29 protected areas with unparalleled biodiversity. But protecting a space as immense and defiant as Loreto is an enormous challenge.
Since 2022, Conservation International has taken on this challenge, in collaboration withdiverse actors tof the Loreto Regional Conservation System. Just in the Ampiyacu Apayacu Regional Conservation Area (RCA) there are 1500 plant species, 207 species of fish; 64 species of amphibians; 40 species of reptiles; 362 species of birds and 60 species of mammals, which coexist with four indigenous people: the Yagua, Bora, Huitoto and Ocaina.
Protecting nature in this area also means generating favorable economic conditions for the wellbeing of the local population. One of the most common productive activities of the eight communities settled in the Ampiyacu watershed is harvesting the buds of the chambira palm (Astrocaryum chambira), a natural fibre whose use and knowledge has been passed on from generation to generation. The men contribute to harvesting and transporting the heart of the palm, while the women prepare the fibre for weaving and handicraft making, an activity where men are also starting to participate.
Transforming production
With our partner Amazon Ecology, who had been working in the area since 2006, we built better opportunities for the artisans. Through the interest in chambira, we strengthened important leadership, marketing, and conflict resolution skills to form stronger and more capable organizations, while also strengthening their techniques in natural dyeing, weaving, finishing, and design.
“We analyzed the chambira production chain and found that it was not a sustainable activity. The chambira bud was harvested by felling the palm tree. We introduced new tools and worked with the families to teach them how to obtain only the bud and keep the palm standing”, says Bibi Gutiérrez, Intercultural Coordinator for Conservation International Peru.
© Conservación Internacional/Gustavo Carrasco
The artisans had to walk further and further to reach the chambira, so 5600 seedlings were reforested on the plots of more than 50 families in the communities of Boras de Pucaurquillo, Huitotos de Pucarquillo and Brillo Nuevo, giving them better access to the resource. The families now know too that every three months, they can harvest a new bud from the palm trees they used to cut down.
“With their support , they have helped us to become aware of how to sustainably manage our flora and fauna,” says Raquel Velásquez, an artisan from the Huitotos de Pucaurquillo native community. “Before, we used to walk more than two hours to reach the chambira palm trees, which we used to cut down. It has been a great experience to work in the reforestation of the chambira so that we never run out, and we can pass on this practice of our ancestors to future generations. Now we are better organized and we are working to take better advantage of the chambira and have better benefits for everyone,” adds Raquel enthusiastically.
Traceability
Through Amazon Ecology, the handicrafts of the 6 artisan associations with whom we have been working are marketed both nationally and abroad, but it has been a long process; “At the beginning we could hardly find chambira seeds. But with a lot of effort we have managed to get each of the 50 families to have their own nursery. After many attempts we have identified and learned the right time to replant it in their plots so that it can grow well,” says Jully Rojas, Amazon Ecology's Camp Coordinator.
Once the chambira palm trees had been reforested, we worked with the chief of Ampiyacu Apayacu protected area and the Forest Authorities of the the Government of Loreto to have a plantation registry of all the palm trees planted in the communities of Boras and Huitoto de Paucarquillo, the first two communities in the entire Loreto region to have such a registry.
The registration also opens up new opportunities. With these documents, artisans now have the opportunity to access State competitiveness compensation programs, and access funds that can strengthen their business with new environmentally sustainable agricultural technologies and improve their quality of life.
© Conservación Internacional/Esteban Fong
A promising future
© Conservación Internacional/Gustavo Carrasco
Now there are more seeds and a local population more interested in joining the work being done, but in many other neighboring communities, where interest in working the chambira is increasing, the presence of this palm is still scarce.
Continuing with its planting and registration in other communities is a priority. With the technology that today allows the buyer to trace the exact location of the palm with which the handicrafts are made, new opportunities arise to reach more demanding and better-paying markets that prioritize traceability , knowing that with their purchase they are contributing to families that are generating less pressure on the forest and taking care of an area of unparalleled biological value.
Ensuring the livelihoods of populations settled in priority areas for conservation, where both people and nature can thrive hand in hand, is the path to sustainability.
© Conservación Internacional/Gustavo Carrasco
Garza Viva (Jirón Nauta 136, Iquitos) offers handicrafts made with chambira fiber from the communities of the Ampiyacu Apayacu.