Xixuaú-Xipariná Ecological Reserve, BRAZIL

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT & INDIGENOUS CULTURE

The Challenge:

Ten percent of the world's species of plants and animals live in Brazil, and thousands of those species are at risk of extinction.  In order to preserve the habitats of endangered plants and animals, the Associação Amazônia founded the Xixuaú-Xipariná Ecological Reserve, which is situated on the right hand bank of the Jauaperí River, marking the border between the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Roraima. The Reserve measures 172,000 hectares and is the only private nature reserve of this type in the Brazilian Amazon.

The Xixuaú-Xipariná Reserve sits in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, and hundreds of animal species that are in danger of extinction elsewhere in the Amazon thrive in Xixuaú-Xipariná.  These include: the Brazilian giant otter (seen here), manatees, both species of river dolphin, black caiman, a number of species of turtle, snakes like the coral and the anaconda, and a multitude of fish. The jungle is also inhabited by monkeys, marmosets, tamanduas, sloths, ocelot, jaguar, tapirs, anteaters, armadillos, peccaries, pacas, and of course, all the beautiful rainforest birds.

Xixuaú-Xipariná is extremely isolated, accessible only by a 30-40 hour boat trip from the city of Manaus.  This isolation has helped to preserve hundreds of species, making the Reserve an important element in rainforest conservation efforts.  

However, the viability of the Reserve crucially depends on ensuring that the local people are able lead healthy, prosperous lives in ways that keep the environment whole and flourishing.  The Reserve's isolation—and lack of electricity—leaves the native Caboclo Indians with virtually no access to modern health care, education, and economic opportunities.

The Solution:

Working with the Associação Amazônia, a group largely composed of indigenous Caboclo Indians, SELF has provided solar power and satellite Internet access to the previously unelectrified Reserve. The project was funded by the Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust.

Project Successes Include:

• Improving health care for local people by electrifying the fying the Reserve's new health clinic.  The solar-powerd clinic now has a Sunfrost refrigerator that reliably preserves fragile vaccines and snake bite serums. Solar lights allow emergency surgical operations to be performed at night.
  
  

• Furthering scientific research and the cataloging of endangered species by powering an Internet-connected satellite dish that helps the Reserve stay in contact with scientific research teams.
  
  

• Enhancing educational opportunities for the local people at the Reserve's new school. The solar powered, Internet-connected computers provide access to distance learning programs, and adult education classes are held in the evenings thanks to solar-powered compact florescent lighting.
  
  

• Advancing economic opportunities by coordinating eco-tourism and e-commerce ventures.

PROJECT UPDATE!

In January/February 2002, SELF's Executive Director, Bob Freling, traveled to Xixuaú-Xipariná to oversee the implementation of this project.  A professional filmmaker has generously donated his time to document this project, so watch this page for the video!

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Did you know a gift of $10 buys two efficient fluorescent light bulbs for a village school, home, or clinic?
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Read SELF's press release about this project.  Click here to read the Acrobat document, or click here to read the text only version.

Click here to listen to Minnesota Public Radio's broadcast about SELF's Amazon project.  

The children of the Xixuaú-Xipariná Ecological Reserve write about their beautiful home in The Forest Book.  Click here to read it.