People and Nature

Strengthening communities for better management

Beyond on-the-ground activities, training sessions aim to make communities aware of their rights, natural resources legislation, and the basics of institutional organization.

Bringing together key stakeholders in the management of an area is no small undertaking. It often requires bringing around the same table people with different perceptions and priorities. Cooperation in this case is not only necessary but unavoidable if sustainable management is to happen.

Stakeholder management in practice

To promote effective management of the Lower-Pastaza River Basin in Peru, WWF has facilitated the formation of a watershed management committee that guarantees the active participation of all key river basin stakeholders in decision-making. This committee brings together representatives of Kandozi, Kichwa and Achuar communities and the Mayor of the Pastaza area.

Empowering communities to enforce their rights

Sometimes, the stakes are particularly high. When it comes to oil extraction for instance, a potentially dangerous and damaging activity for ecosystems, it is vital that local communities have a say over what happens on their land.

In the Abanico del Pastaza, WWF is active building the capacity of the Achuar federation. The organisation provides it with the necessary information to improve the federation's decision-making regarding oil companies present in the area.

Scaling up to management plans

Management plans are blueprints for the sustainable use of natural resources. While these documents are mostly referred to in the context of protected areas, their role is no less important for NRM. Lake Rimachi - the largest lake in the Peruvian Amazon – provides an example of how such tools can help share fisheries resources.

Trouble stirs in Lake Rimachi

In Rimachi, overfishing has reduced the populations of several key aquatic species, resulting in diminished livelihood opportunities and increased poverty in indigenous communities. In addition, commercial fishing fleets ploughing the waters strike informal agreements with native communities to extract large quantities of fish, or purchase fish from indigenous fishermen at prices well below market value.

To protect indigenous interests, WWF and partners are developing a management plan that will allow sustainable fishing for Kandozi indigenous communities in the area while ensuring conservation of the lake’s natural resources.

From there on, it is an uphill struggle to secure the necessary approval from the relevant Ministry, and the endorsement by no less than 25 Kandozi communities that fish in Lake Rimachi. The next phase – the implementation of the plan - includes training and support for the commercialization and business management of the lake fish.