NUEVA ARICA

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON

Nueva Arica is a small Indigenous village set in Peru’s Amazonian Loreto region. The village fronts the Marañon River on the doorstep of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. It is home to the Kukama Kukamiria, a local population numbering some 230 individuals.

Large-scale commercial clear-cut harvesting has depleted the aguaje wetlands on which the Kukama Kukamiria depend. Aguaje palm wetlands store up to five times more carbon dioxide than other ecosystems, serving a vital role in supporting the Amazon as the “lungs of the planet.” In addition to deforestation, globalization has also played a factor in the fading of Kukama Kukamiria’s indigenous language and traditions.

Recognizing the need to stem the tide of these negative effects on Nueva Arica, AKP has partnered with Amanatari, an organization committed to supporting Amazonian Indigenous peoples, respecting their rights and cultures, fostering sustainableeconomic opportunities and creating real incentives for long-term conservation.

AKP and Amanatari are collaborating with the Nueva Arica community to implement sustainable aguaje harvesting methods that spare the trees from being cut down for their fruit. This opens up a niche market for Nueva Arica’s harvest workers while further incentivizing the preservation of the precious aguaje palms. Amanatari has also helped the community make sustainable use of the aguajepalms’ buds, which can be woven into fibers (punga) for highly desirable luxury textiles.

The Nueva Arica community and Amanatari are also working on a meliponiculture enterprise harnessing the sustainable, traditional farming of stingless bees for honey production, pollination and biodiversity conservation.

To supplement its bio-business initiatives, community members have also formed a tourist association to host cultural experiences for A&K guests exploring the river aboard Pure Amazon, an A&K Sanctuary. While putting more tourism dollars directly in the hands of the Kukama Kukamiria, the visits also serve to preserve their ancestral language and traditions as they share them with guests.

Additionally, AKP has provided a baseline health assessment for the people of the Nueva Arica community, opening a dialogue for ongoing healthcare assistance for any individuals who may need it.

Looking to the future, the Nueva Arica community, Amanatari, Pure Amazon and AKP plan to grow the sustainable bio-business and tourism ventures, while also addressing some their most fundamental health-related needs.