New Amazonian reserve saves over a million acres in Peru

On August 27th Peru's Ministry of the Environment approved the creation of the Matses National Reserve to protect the region's biodiversity, ensure its natural resources, and preserve the home of the Matses indigenous peoples (known as the Mayorunas in Brazil). The park is 1,039,390 acres (or 420,626 hectares) of lowland Amazonian rainforest in eastern Peru. The park is the culmination of over a decade of work by the local non-profit CEDIA (the Center for the Development of the Indigenous Amazonians) funded in part by the Worldland Trust. …

New Amazonian reserve saves over a million acres in Peru

Technorati Tags: Amazon,rainforest,conservation,Peru

Peru to raise payment to indigenous communities for Amazon forest conservation

Peru's environment minister now says the government will pay indigenous communities 10 sols ($3.30) for every hectare of rainforest they help to preserve, reports the Latin American Herald. Previously Antonio Brack said that communities would see about half that amount.

The $3.30-per-hectare figure is low by international standards. Under a proposed mechanism that compensates countries for reducing deforestation (REDD), forest land could be worth $800 or more per hectare for its carbon (225 tons of carbon/ha), depending on its level of threat. Forests in areas of high deforestation would be compensated at a higher rate than inaccessible forests at low-risk of development.

But Brack left open the possibility that communities could receive higher payment if parties agree to include REDD compensation in a future climate framework.  …

Peru to raise payment to indigenous communities for Amazon forest conservation

Technorati Tags: deforestation,Amazon,rainforest,Peru

Peru revokes decrees that sparked Amazon Indian uprising

Peru's Congress revoked two controversial land laws that sparked violent conflicts between indigenous protesters and police in the country's Amazon region. The move temporarily defuses a two-week crisis, with protestors agreeing to stand down by removing blockades from roads and rivers. Congress voted 82-14 Thursday to overturn legislative decrees 1090 and 1064, which would have facilitated foreign development of Amazon land. Indigenous groups said the decrees threatened millions of hectares of Amazon rainforest and undermined their traditional land use rights. …

Peru revokes decrees that sparked Amazon Indian uprising

Technorati Tags: Amazon,rainforest,deforestation,Peru