Ecotourism in Amazonian Perù 3: Tambopata Jungle Lodge (TJL)
Case Study C0079
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| Date | April 1997 |
| Agency | Peruvian Andean Treks |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Peru |
| Locality | Tambopata region |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local community |
| Conservation goals | Conserve biodiversity within the TJL's concessions |
| Poverty reduction goals | Help build a school; potentially, provide employment for members of the Comunidad |
Summary
In 1988, the Cuzco-based tour agency, Peruvian Andean Treks, began to investigate the possibility of constructing a lodge on the Tambopata River. Because there was no legal structure to buy land in Amazonian Perú during this era, the original investor, Raul Medina, applied under his own name for a certificado de poseción to a plot of land. These certificados de poseción give holders the right to hunt, log, and farm a 30 ha plot of land, but no right of ownership. Peruvian Andean Treks subsequently became a partner with Medina and ended up becoming the majority partner. In 1991, construction of the newly-named Tambopata Jungle Lodge (TJL) began. Subsequently, two more pieces of land were acquired. One piece was granted to TJL (25 ha) as a reserve, similar to those of Explorer’s Inn and Cuzco Amazónico Lodge (see case studies n°77 and 78). TJL received certificados de poseción on another two sites from 1993 to 1994, expanding total holdings from 85 ha to 215 ha, which included 1920 m of river frontage.
In 1991, in part as a direct response to the declaration of the ZRTC, colonists began to claim concessions along the length of the Tambopata River. By 1993, colonists had flanked TJL. Hunting began within TJL’s concessions. In 1994, neighbouring colonists measured the north river frontage claimed by TJL and alleged that the lodge was claiming 200 m more river frontage than it actually had certificados for. At the same time, the neighbouring colonists formed a Comunidad Agricola of 250 inhabitants. Clearly, the behaviour of the neighbouring colonists was strategic and intended to take advantage of what they saw as an attractive economic opportunity. By attempting to take out certificados de poseción to disputed pieces of land within TJL’s concessions, colonists were attempting to extract payments similar to those which had been made to the original certificado holders.
Fortunately, because the neighbouring colonists had organized themselves into a Comunidad, a negotiated settlement was logistically possible. In December of 1994, TJL promised to help build a school for the Comunidad. In exchange, the Comunidad signed a formal agreement to recognize TJL’s permanent claim to the 1020 m stretch of river frontage on the north bank, the 950 m stretch on the south bank, and also agreed to allow TJL to take out concessions along an additional 930 m of river frontage on the north bank. The Comunidad also promised to forego hunting, farming and the extraction of forest products on all of this land.
In the same year, the legal environment changed drastically when the government of Perú made formal the process for granting title to land in its Amazonian regions. TJL immediately purchased from the State the 1020m of river frontage on the north bank of the river and the 950m along the south bank, paying the State the equivalent of US$ 7705 over five years at current exchange rates. In 1996, TJL paid colonists to transfer a total of 106 ha of concessions, at approximately US$ 40 per hectare.
Conservation impact
Since the agreement has been signed, only one case of hunting has occurred, and the Comunidad has sanctioned the transgressor by threatening him with expulsion.
Poverty reduction impact
As of April 1997, TJL and the Comunidad had decided on a site for the school, designed the structure, agreed on the partition of labour and materials, and were applying for state aid, filing for the necessary governmental permits and conducting a census of school children.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Provision of basic goods/services
Reference 1
Yu, D.W., Hendrickson, T., and Castillo, A., 1997, 'Ecotourism and Conservation in Amazonian Peru: Short-Term and Long-Term Challenges', Environmental Conservation 24(2): 130-38
More information
http://www.tambopatalodge.com/
Similar record to this one:
- Ecotourism in Amazonian Perù 2: Explorer's Inn (Case study C0078)