CONSERVATION ISSUES
In recent years the Las Piedras river has been a means of entry to the rainforest for illegal loggers and settlers looking for opportunities to establish small scale subsistance farms.
The loggers are primarily interested in the valuable mahogany trees of the primary forest, hence the method of extraction is selective logging, where access tracks are cut through the forest to the timber trees which are felled and processed on site, the timber then transported by river. This method of timber extraction leaves the majority of the forest intact, but vulnerable to further depredation as the network of access tracks can be subsequently used by farm settlers and hunters.
The native Piro indians, great traders by nature, have also been involved in mahogany logging, but tighter control of the illegal trade coupled with an increase in awareness about the long term damage to their tradtional lifestyle and values has lead the Piros to seek alternative, sustainable sources of income.
Las Piedrsa Amazon Tours is dedicated to helping the Piro indians earn a sustainable income and to realise their own conservation strategy. The purpose built eco-lodges ARCC and Tipishca work with the native people, whose natural hospitality, wildlife spotting skills and pride in their culture led them to readilly adopt the concepts of responsible tourism as a means for them to earn a sustainable income in their forest.
By participating in one of our tours, you are directly contributing to the protection of the Piros beautiful forest- and if you take part in their mahogany reforestation project, your involvement becomes really ‘hands on’, a unique experience in your tour.