The World Bank and the World Wildlife Fund approved a US$ 5.5 million grant that will help indigenous communities to protect the Peruvian Amazon from climate change impacts and safeguard biodiversity of the country.
This is the second country-level project within the framework of the Dedicated Grant Mechanism (DGM) and has an implementation period of five years.
Deforestation rates are increasing in Peru, particularly in lands where there are no rights; meanwhile the Forest Investment Plan of Peru states that the main drivers of this phenomenon are migration, agricultural expansion and infrastructure projects involving construction of roads or regulation of wood.
It should be noted that territorial reserves such as lands allotted to indigenous people and protected natural areas showed a lower deforestation rate.
This is one of the first projects prepared by indigenous leaders and beneficiaries. It is intended to facilitate physical and cultural survival of communities depending on these resources. This will be achieved through increasing security of land tenure.
Also, sustainable use will be supported through native land titling in the Amazon, indigenous forest management, and governance and sustainability.
The “Saweto Dedicated Grant Mechanism for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Project” supports climate change mitigation and inclusive growth by enhancing legal protection and recognition.
Continued and protected stewardship of this land is essential, as it represents one of the most important land based carbon sinks for greenhouse gases in South America.
Capacity building is necessary to empower Peruvian Amazon communities living in and caring for the forests.
Alberto Rodriguez, World Bank Director for Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, stressed that “this effort can have a significant impact on diminishing poverty and vulnerability as communities with secure tenure tend to have better access to traditional sources of food, medicine and higher levels of participation in national social protection or safety net programs.”
(END) MVM/JCC/RMB
Published: 10/3/2015