The Yurúa-Juruá-Alto Tamaya border is a place where various indigenous peoples meet. On the Peruvian side, the Asháninka community of Sawawo Hito 40 stands out, located at the easternmost point of the Ucayali region, and on the Brazilian side, the Asháninka community of Apiwtxa, in the state of Acre, on the banks of the Ammonia River.
Transboundary Challenges
In addition to the threats of illegal logging and even drug trafficking faced by communities in this area, an illegal road that ventures towards Puerto Breu, capital of Yurua, puts communities like Sawawo, and Apiwtxa and the lives of its inhabitants, at risk.
© Reynaldo Vela
Resistance and Support
In the face of these challenges, Conservation International Peru and Upper Amazon Conservancy are joining forces to strengthen ACONADIYSH, an Association of Native Communities that represents 6 indigenous peoples and 17 Native Communities of Ucayali, covering 423,430 hectares. Together they work to promote indigenous leadership, build capacity for forest conservation and promote sustainable activities. But, strengthening transboundary alliances is also key in this process. They have joined forces with Conservation International Brazil, public, private and indigenous organizations in the state of Acre, and the community of Apiwtxa, to establish a common agenda is key.
© Upper Amazon Conservancy
Building a resilient indigenous economy
As part of this agenda, 50 indigenous leaders from both sides of the frontier met for the first time at an Indigenous Economy workshop where they explored and exchanged experiences on income-generating activities that foster conservation and reinforce their cultural identity, where cultural ties were also strengthened.
© Upper Amazon Conservancy
"This exchange was crucial to learn how neighboring communities are developing and how we can strengthen our cultures and protect our territories," unanimously shared Dora Piyanko, president of the Ayõpare cooperative from Brazil, and Stany Pérez, president of the ACONADIYSH Women's Program.
Defending Territories
The Transboundary Commission also met for the fifth time bringing 13 native peoples from the Alto Tamaya, Yurua in Peru and Juruá in Brazil in Marechal Thaumaturgo, Acre, to discuss threats, the importance of exchanging cross-border strategies at the local, regional and binational levels, as well as territorial and human rights protection.
© Upper Amazon Conservancy
These activities, that seek to strengthen territorial management and governance on the Ucayali-Acre border have proved that, despite the challenges, the resilience and solidarity of the Peruvian and Brazilian communities emerge as a driving force towards a sustainable future where borders do not exist.
© Upper Amazon Conservancy