The forests protected by BAM are especially relevant because they are one of the last remaining ecosystems in the vicinity of the city of Pucallpa, capital of Ucayali, one of the regions with the highest deforestation rates in Peru.
Since 2008, BAM has been protecting a private area of +20,000 ha in Ucayali, Peru, where it is currently developing the REDD+ The Last Habitat conservation project. Throughout these years, BAM has carried out various activities aimed at preventing the deforestation of ecosystems due to the increasing threats affecting the area.
Located 45 minutes from the city and surrounded by deforestation pressures from agriculture, urbanization and others, the project area is home to an extraordinary ecological richness, being the last habitat or refuge for various species of flora and fauna and a “green island” of outstanding natural value.
BAM’s forests are home to an amazing amount of flora and fauna, including species such as the Jaguar and others in a state of vulnerability such as the tapir and the maquisapa monkey. In addition, it includes several valuable forest types, including +5000 hectares of aguajales, which are the wetlands with the highest carbon sequestration capacity in the Amazon. All this makes this an essential ecosystem for conservation, opening opportunities for scientific research on the biodiversity and value of the Amazon rainforests.
REDD+ The Last Habitat aims to avoid the emission of 15’637,703.25 tCO2e (tons of carbon equivalent) into the atmosphere, meaning an average of 781,985.16 tCO2e avoided per year, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change and safeguarding the integrity of the Peruvian Amazon ecosystems and its most valuable species.
It is worth mentioning that the project involves the surrounding communities (representing +835 families) in its value proposition, seeking to generate sustainable economic opportunities for the livelihood of neighboring families, generating awareness and life in harmony between the community and the ecosystem.
Currently, BAM’s project REDD+ The Last Habitat, is in the process of validation and verification under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCB Biodiversity Gold).
More about the project: Climate, Community and Biodiversity goals
REDD+ The Last Habitat project protects 20,463 hectares of primary floodplain forest. Part of this area has been recognized as the second Private Conservation Area in the region (ACP Campo Verde), aiming to conserve the forest and the vast diversity of plants and animals it harbors, ensuring their continued well-being.
The estimated emissions reduction for the project is 15’637,703.25 tCO2e at an average of 781,985.16 tCO2e/year, an impact that will be achieved over time through the implementation of various activities grouped into three strategic lines of intervention: climate, community and biodiversity.
CLIMATE – Deforestation risk mitigation
Despite their high ecosystem value, these areas face increasing threats of deforestation such as encroachment and land trafficking, overlapping rights, illegal logging, expansion of agricultural frontiers and the implementation of unsustainable agricultural practices that put the loss of forest cover and biodiversity within the Project Area at continuous risk. These threats are addressed through the implementation of different monitoring, control and surveillance strategies with the participation of authorities, local organizations and neighboring communities. Likewise, through the implementation of social strategies that seek to prevent and reduce external risk factors through environmental awareness programs and livelihood improvements.
These strategies and activities, among others, include: the implementation of a comprehensive monitoring, control and surveillance system (satellite, technical and legal), which includes daily analysis of the spatial dynamics in the area, patrols and permanent surveillance in due cooperation with forestry authorities and competent entities, as well as with the community patrols to effectively prevent, identify and stop deforestation in the project’s area of influence. Likewise, training and support for neighboring communities in conservation and sustainable forest management, among others. To this end, the project has duly implemented strategically located control posts and has the necessary infrastructure for optimal monitoring of the area,
In October 2023 a Cooperation Agreement was signed with SERNANP’s Alto Purús National Park. More details here.
COMMUNITY – Socioeconomic management for community development
The communities, towns and villages surrounding the project area face socioeconomic conditions marked by unsatisfied basic needs, precarious access to quality public services, irregular land tenure and insufficient support to improve their productive activities. In this social, economic and political context, forests are threatened by changes in land use, leading to deforestation and degradation, in a vicious circle that negatively impacts forest ecosystems and does not allow for an improvement in the quality of life of the communities.
In this line, the inclusion of the populations and interest groups is fundamental for the development of the project and to achieve forest protection with benefits for the climate, biodiversity and communities. The project involves more than 835 families as indirect beneficiaries in its value proposition, seeking to improve their livelihoods and ensure the long-term impact of its efforts.
Project activities include initiatives such as ongoing training of communities in sustainable forest management and conservation of forests and their biodiversity, the promotion of sustainable production chains to promote alternative sources of income, the implementation of projects to provide better conditions in terms of basic services for the surrounding communities (drinking water, electricity, health, education, mobility), among others. For example, a sustainable project has been initiated to improve the productivity of cassava and fariña with producers in the Nuevo Belén community, in addition to improvements in educational and health centers in various localities. All activities are implemented in a participatory manner, respecting local governance systems, which is reflected in cooperation agreements with communities and regional authorities for the development of sustainable activities that benefit local populations.
BIODIVERSITY – Protection of biodiversity and ecological processes
For a proper conservation and management of the forest, BAM implements a Science Program in cooperation with prestigious organizations and universities to learn about and monitor the functioning of the forest and its components and identify habitats and species, especially those that may be in a threatened category. The results of the research indicate that the project area harbors an important diversity of species, including species classified as threatened according to national legislation and the IUCN. In one of the last scientific expeditions carried out by researchers from CORBIDI and the San Diego Zoo thanks to BAM’s Science Program, 494 species of fauna were recorded, including 357 species of birds and 276 species of insects. A new species was even discovered for science! Meet the Scinax pyronguinis frog here, and for more details about the animals and wildlife protected in our forests, don’t miss the results of the installation of hundreds of camera traps!
The importance of conservation
Did you know that 20% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are generated by deforestation and harmful agricultural practices? In the case of Peru, where around 200,000 hectares are lost per year, deforestation represents a little more than 50% of the country’s total CO2 emissions (MINAM).
Since 2009 Bosques Amazónicos (BAM) has been developing REDD+ conservation projects in the Peruvian Amazon with the objective of combating climate change, safeguarding the integrity of ecosystems and promoting the sustainable development of local communities. BAM is currently developing 5 conservation projects in Peru.
Other BAM’s projects in Ucayali
Since 2008, BAM has been restoring/reforesting degraded lands with high-value native species, such as marupa and shihuahuaco, on its private property in Ucayali. To date, BAM has restored +1,200 ha with native species of high value in the international market.
Join the fight against climate change and be part of the Bosques Amazónicos community by clicking here.
BAM, private investment for a sustainable world
By: Valeria Drinot
