Ecotorurism Experienece in Quehueri’ono, Ecuador
Case Study C0225
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| Date | 1998 |
| Agency | TROPIC Ecological Adventures |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | indigenous territory |
| Geographic coverage | Ecuador |
| Locality | Quehueri’ono village |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local community |
| Conservation goals | Conserve the rain forest territory |
| Poverty reduction goals | Increase economic benefits for local communities |
Summary
A small-scale ecotourism initiative was started in 1994 by TROPIC Ecological Adventures, in partnership with the local Huaorani community, in Quehueri’ono. The Huaorani people have inhabited the headwaters of the Amazon for millennia and have lived as hunters and gatherers, entirely without contact from outsiders right up until the end of the 1950's. Currently numbering approximately 1,200 individuals, they continue to maintain a largely traditional lifestyle, living from the rainforest. TROPIC Ecological Adventures approached the Huaorani in 1994, and under their complete control, developed a joint programme to bring visitors into the territory of one of their communities located on the upper Shiripuno river. TROPIC provided training on the practices of ecotourism, conservation, and management. A guest cabin was built about 45 minutes from the village, to avoid intrusion of village life. Huaorani guides accompany visitors and local canoe drivers must be employed. Cooks are trained to prepare meals for tourists.
This project offers an interesting view of how ecotourism can help underwrite the minimal costs for education and communication required by an indigenous community that chooses to maintain a hunting and gathering existence, without necessarily bringing negative cultural and environmental effects. The partnership between TROPIC and the community of Quehueri’ono also offers a good model for how a remote Amazonian community can attract the international travel market by successfully forging a long-term partnership with a committed inbound tour operator.
Conservation impact
No hunted food is used in order to avoid increased hunting pressure on local wildlife.
Poverty reduction impact
A fee is paid to the president of the community for each visitor per night and the money is distributed evenly among all the families. The village also benefits from training and employment opportunities.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Reference 1
http://conserveonline.org/docs/2005/08/America%20Verde%20Community%20Participation.pdf
Reference 2
http://www.tropiceco.com/journeys/special/huaorani-community-tour.html