📋 Tender Overview
Written by Ivan Infantas Barbachan, head of the Planning ProjectIn recent months, the forest management process in the Ucayali region has begun coordinated work with institutions, organizations and indigenous communities.
Through socialization workshops promoted by the Serfor Sustainable Productive Forests Program, in coordination with the Regional Government of Ucayali, it was possible to inform and collect contributions on the reality of their communal territories, in 45 native communities, in the provinces of Coronel Portillo, Padre Abad and Atalaya. This effort seeks to guarantee that the process was carried out in a participatory, transparent and realistic manner, considering the perspectives and knowledge of the communities with the objective of strengthening territorial planning and the sustainable management of forest resources.
Key information to decide on the territory
During the workshops, it was explained that Permanent Production Forests are intended for the use of timber and other forestry and wildlife products under sustainability criteria, contributing to local economic development. In contrast, Protective Forests fulfill an essential function in the conservation of water sources, soils and biodiversity, allowing only compatible activities such as conservation and ecotourism. This information is relevant for the heads of the communities to understand the process and concepts, because some communities are adjacent to these preliminary proposals for Forest Management Units (UOF), in order to validate that there are no overlaps with the communal territories.
This is a good initiative to reach the communities and provide this type of socialization since the information reaches the members of the community directly, so we can know which areas can be used sustainably from our forests.
Tedy Cairuna
Head of the Nuevo Saposoa Native Community - Shipiba Ethnicity
Maps that reflect the life of the territory
One of the most valued methodologies during the workshops was working with maps of their territories. Through them, the communities identified relevant elements of their environment and demonstrated the close relationship they maintain with the forest. This exercise not only allowed valuable information to be collected for the technical process, but also reaffirmed the role of the communities as guardians of the territory.
We have been able to work on the map that has allowed us to locate the territory of the community, which are the areas that we have been working on and which have problems of invasion and illicit activities, to continue working to protect it.
James Fernandez Sanchez
Representative of the Mariscal Caceres Native Community - Kakataibo Ethnicity
A key process for conservation and development
SERFOR has highlighted that the informed participation of native communities is an essential element to guarantee that forest management responds to the reality of the territory and its potential. In this sense, the process seeks to prevent the inappropriate use of forest resources and promote long-term sustainable management.
For communities, forest management represents an opportunity to better organize their productive activities, protect conservation spaces and strengthen their territorial governance, Forest management is important to continue conserving our resources, environment and medicinal plants that are part of our forests and our identity.
Mario Rivas Cardenas
Head of Native Community Kiteriaro Center - Ashaninka Ethnicity
The experience in Ucayali shows that forest management is not only a technical instrument, but a process that recognizes native communities as fundamental actors in the conservation of Amazonian forests and in the construction of a sustainable development model for the region.
The sessions took place in different communities, where leaders and community members accessed important information about the proposal for Forest Management Units, which includes both Permanent Production Forests and Protective Forests. The central objective of the process is to organize the use of forest territory, promote the sustainable use of resources and ensure the conservation of ecosystems.
