Indigenous Initiative in Protected Area Management in Bolivia
Case Study C0017
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| Date | 2004 |
| Agency | Captania del Alto y Bajo Izozog (CABI) |
| Donor/support agency | USAID GTB, Bolivia WCS, Bolivia |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area indigenous territory |
| Geographic coverage | Bolivia |
| Locality | Santa Cruz |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/Landscape |
| Development focus | Izoceno- Guarani people, numbering approximately 10000 inhabitants in 23 communities along the banks of Parapeti river in the Gran chaco |
| Conservation goals | Biodiversity conservation in Gran Chaco region of Bolivia |
| Poverty reduction goals | Ensuring Equitable economic growth and the survival of Izocenos as people, based on alternative productive activities |
Summary
Captania del Alto y Bajo Izozog (CABI) is a grassroots indigenous organisation that represents the Izoceno-Guarani people, numbering approximately 10000 inhabitants in 23 communities along the banks of Parapeti river in the Gran chaco, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. CABI is involved in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development initiatives in the region, which is under considerable pressure from expanding agriculture and industries. In the year 1995, with the help from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), CABI proposed the government to create Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park and Integrated Management Area (KINP) and subsequently assumed the responsibility to co manage the park creation. CABI is the only indigenous initiative in Americas, where a traditional indigenous organisation shares fundamental administrative and financial responsibilities with the government. In yet another initiative in 1996, CABI successfully advocated the concept of indigenous territory as a form of land ownership, to get it included in Bolivia's new agrarian reform law. In 1997, in accordance with the new law, CABI presented a territorial demand for a 'Tierra Communitaria de Origen' (TCO) of 1.9 million hectares adjacent to KINP. CABI established the Ivi Iyambae Foundation and started Kaa-Iya project in conjunction with WCS and USAID Bolivia to promote institutional strengthening and the long term sustainable management of the KINP and TCO. This project has focussed on sustainable use of natural resources and selected Izoceno people have been trained to assume responsibilities for natural resource use through implementation of management plans for individual species, group of species and TCO in general. Sustainable commercial resource use alternatives, like fish flour by women's groups and collared peccary Tayassu tajacu skins by hunters, have been initiated. In an important deal with a privately sponsored Bolivia-Brasil gas pipeline project, a private fund worth US$ 1 million supporting the park and a development plan worth US$ 730,000 for indigenous peoples, were established. This fund enabled CABI to cover over half budget for the park from 1998-2000. Under the development plan, a range of development activities like hand pumps to ensure water supplies to households and community livestock ranches based on revolving credit systems were established. CABI has also implemented an environmental education programme in schools. All these efforts have led to the protection of large tropical dry forest area of 340000 sq. km. with conservation of important species such as the jaguar and the endemic Chacoan peccary, CABI is implementing the management plan in community lands outside park on the lines of park management plan in order to conserve endangered species like Chacoan guanco. It has also evaluated the ecotourism potential of the area and has identified number of sites with in KINP and Izoceno TCO for development.
Conservation impact
Protection of large tropical dry forest area of 340000 sq. km. with conservation of important species such as the jaguar and the endemic Chacoan peccary. CABI is also implementing the management plan in community lands outside park on the lines of park management plan in order to conserve endangered species like Chacoan guanco.
Poverty reduction impact
Community Rights over 1.9 million hectares adjacent to KINP have been accepted which has strenghtened the livelihoods of people. Sustainable commercial resource use alternatives, like fish flour by women's groups and collared peccary Tayassu tajacu skins by hunters, have been initiated. In an important deal with a privately sponsored Bolivia-Brasil gas pipeline project, a private fund worth US$ 730,000 for indigenous peoples development, was established. With this fund, a range of development activities like hand pumps to ensure water supplies to households and community livestock ranches based on revolving credit systems were established.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Sustainable Use
Devolution or reinstatement of local rights over/access to resources
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Partnership with private sector
Reference 1
http://www.equatorinitiative.net/files/2004-0054_Nom_CABl_Bolivia.doc
More information
Evelio Arambiza, Director Ejecutivo Fundación Ivi Iyambae, Calle Pocherena 122, Casilla 3108, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Tel/Fax (591-3) 354-1409, 354-0063
Related records above this one:
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (Organisation O0100)
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) (Organisation O0102)