Community forest management
Imataca is an extensive and hugely diverse, tropical humid forest located in the southeast of Venezuela. The biodiversity of this natural reserve is truly extraordinary and every corner of the forest is home to life. A large number of mammals, such as jaguars, tapirs, deer and howler monkeys can be seen amidst the lush vegetation. One of the most breathtaking spectacles, however, comes from its birds: it is the traditional nesting ground of the imposing Harpy eagle, the largest bird of prey in the world.
The Kariña live in small groups of extended families at the heart of the forest reserve. Many people and companies never acknowledged this reserve as the Kariña’s territory, however, and would fell trees or work there without their authorisation or consent, using these resources without any benefit to the local communities. Mining companies were particularly destructive.
“We asked ourselves, ´If these companies outside the community are not helping us, why don't we start our own business?` So the women in our community organised themselves and starting building nurseries for our trees,” Cecilia says.
The Kariña women went on to create a company, in coordination with the Venezuelan government and FAO. The company was called Tukupu in honour of a small, striped fish native to the forest that has sadly been endangered by mining, indiscriminate logging and harmful forestry practices.
“Tukupu…were very abundant on the Botanamo River, and I say that they were abundant because our water is almost running out…Everything is drying up because of mining and other reckless activities that are destroying our forest,” Cecilia says.
Once the Kariña community had created their company, the Venezuelan government granted them 7 000 hectares of the Imataca Forest Reserve to co-manage. This land has become the centre of training and restoration activities to revitalise areas which had been degraded by mining. Hundreds of nurseries are being built to grow plants that will be used in reforestation. The company also improves soils and rivers to help revive the Tukupu fish population.
Being granted land was one of the main achievements of the project. However, for Cecilia, one that was even more important was the change of mindset within her community: “We have shown that the Kariña people can successfully implement the project.” This recognition is absolutely key for Cecilia because she believes that the Kariñas are “the true guardians of the forest”.