Contacts:
Ecuador: Piet Sabbe (English/Spanish/Dutch)
Eliza Manteca O$ate (Spanish)
Europe: Leida Buglass (Spanish/English/German)
negrita@nodo50.gn.apc.org
Ecuador's last intact montane cloud forest in danger
Conservationists seek support for land purchase, applied research
on genetic forest resources, alternative use of forest and
agroforestry programmes.
Ecuadorian environmentalists have found a way to protect a rain
forest while providing local people with economically viable land
use.
Working in the Cerro Golondrinas region (the country's last
intact rain forest that stretches from mountain tops to nearly
sea level), they're applying sustainable agriculture techniques
and agroforestry--introducing alley cropping, a technique whereby
rows of trees alternated with crops. The trees are planted along
contours of the mountain slopes to counteract runoff erosion
whilst providing local peasant farmers an economic alternative to
cattle raising (the rain forest is slashed and burnt for
grazing).
The Cerro Golondrinas Cloudforest Conservation project was
initiated by Ecuadorian environmentalist Eliza Manteca O$ate in
conjunction with the Centro Productivo y Educativo Agroforestal
(CPEA). Additionally an alliance has been forged with FUNDEAL
(Foundation for Alternative Development). Together the project
seeks international support to purchase and manage 25 000
hectares of forest within five years.
Time is not on their side. The construction of a new road is
making the mountainous area easily accessible, leading to
intensified pressure from timber companies and commercial cattle
farms, which are buying land from small farmers.
The Cerro Golondrinas group has an immediate opportunity to
purchase 600 hectares adjoining the 1400 hectares it has already
bought, and is seeking US$ 40 000 to purchase the land and have
it declared a "protected forest". Unfortunately there is another
interests party, a cattle farmer who intends to clear the land
immediately.
Says Manteca, "The rain forests of the Cerro Golondrinas region
contain one of the richest concentrations of endemic species on
Earth. The hillsides are steep; if we don't act immediately, they
are in danger of disappearing forever."
According to Brad Boyle of Missouri Botanical Garden "Cerro
Golondrinas may well be the only region (in northwest South
America) where there still remains an area of undisturbed montane
forest large enough to ensure the survival of several globally
threatened species of birds."
The project coordinator Piet Sabbe believes the success of the
project lies in educating the local farmers in agroforestry and
and forest farming. A number of farmers have already completed a
seminar in nursery techniques for indigenous trees and some have
been trained as extensionists. "Families living here survive by
cutting down timber and raising cattle. We aim to change the
local inhabitants' source of income from destruction of the rain
forest to preservation of them."
Bernardo Beate, a geologist assisting the project, explains what
happens when the land is cleared for cattle or timber harvest.
"Thich humus-rich soil is readily removed by landslides and
running water on deforested areas, leaving bare bedrock behind.
Local farmers could be swayed by the lure of easy money into
helping the companies turn their own backyards into wasteland."
The organisation is seeking support from environmentalists in
Europe and elsewhere for the further development of educational
programmes, the setting up of tree nurseries and the plantation
of trees on agroforestry sites, research on the management of
genetic resources and further purchase of forest. Says Eliza
Manteca, "This project needs outside support if it going to
succeed. The funding we receive will determine how much of this
rain forest can be saved."
In addition to funding the organisers are seeking researchers
and/or volunteers with experience in forestry/agroforestry,
permaculture, nursery development, park management and
administration, and good knowledge of Spanish.
The project also operates hikes through the region as a tourist
attraction and alternative source of income for local
inhabitants. The hikes are three to four days long, on foot or on
horseback, overnighting in small communities.
Detailed description of the different activities and projects and
a list of studies to be conducted in the Cerro Golondrinas area
are available on request.
For more information contact:
FUNDEAL
Cerro Golondrinas Cloudforest Conservation Project
Attn. Piet Sabbe
Calle Isabel La Cat"lica 1559
Quito - Ecuador