Monteverde Primary Forest Restoration Package
The Challenges
DEFORESTATION: When we think about deforestation, Brazil may be the country that first comes to mind. However, Bolivia also suffers from large areas of deforestation annually. The drivers of the demand for land are the same as Brazil – agriculture both for cattle grazing and arable land for soya and maize for animal feed, and commodity extraction.
Sixty percent of Bolivia’s land area (64.5 million hectares) was under tree cover in 2000. Over 3 million hectares have been permanently deforested since then. Bolivia Deforestation Rates & Statistics | GFW (globalforestwatch.org) When one hectare of forest land is deforested, calculations suggest that over 280 metric tonnes of CO2e are released. Forest Protection | Project Drawdown
FOREST FIRES:
Up to eight million hectares per year are reportedly affected by forest fires, destroying livelihoods whilst releasing vast amounts of stored Carbon into the atmosphere.
Bolivia Deforestation Rates & Statistics | GFW (globalforestwatch.org)
As daily temperatures rise, the forests are becoming drier, and the threat from insect pests on trees are increasing. This increases the probability of forest fires.
SOCIAL INEQUALITY: Bolivia is one the most culturally diverse countries in South America with 35 diverse ethnic groups, and 60% of Bolivia’s population classified as indigenous.
These indigenous communities are typically engaged in smallholder agriculture and receive a low income. This contrasts with other sectors of Bolivian society who have had access to better education and are engaged in non-agricultural employment.
Our Solution
LAND USE CHANGE:
FOREST PROTECTION AND RE-ESTABLISHMENT: We believe in preserving the existing forest areas and in restoring tree cover to land already deforested. We view forests as productive land areas that can support global environmental sustainability whilst also producing a host of valuable products.
FIRE MANAGEMENT: Selective thinning and replanting of a small number of trees per hectare increase the Carbon sequestration ability of the forest, and the health of each tree. It also enables cattle access to graze removing leaf litter and plants from the forest floor to reduce the risk of fire.
SOCIAL EQUITY: The indigenous communities can increase their incomes without needing to take the drastic action of deforestation. The managed forest land area produces timber and non-timber products (coffee, cocoa, baru nuts, honey, etc.) and also cattle as income sources for the local communities.
Collective marketing efforts will secure fair prices from ethically minded international buyers.
The Monteverde Package
Invest in projects to support local indigenous communities:
Monteverde Indigenous Community, Concepcion, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
- train farmers to protect their primary forest and farmland,
- to promote biodiversity by working with nature,
- to enhance environmental sustainability of the forest,
- to collectively market their produce securing a fair price from buyers
- and to secure a good income from all their activities
Package of One Hectare Units available at £100 per hectare
