Conservation at Tipishca
The native Piro indians, great traders by nature, have been involved in commercial timber extraction in recent years. 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.
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, and to abandon the destructive logging practices.
Las Piedras Amazon Tours is dedicated to helping the Piro indians earn a sustainable income and to realise their own conservation strategy. The purpose built eco-lodge at Tipishca works 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. Sales of their handicrafts at Tipishca Lodge contribute to their project of establishing and running a community school.
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.
When you plant a mahogany tree in the Piro indian’s forestry project, your involvement doesn’t stop there- your tree is identified by a tape bearing your name, and a progress report can be mailed to you so that you can see how their project is progressing.