Protect the Amazon Rainforest and its Guardians

As of November 25 Brazil was fully reopened to tourism and the country had officially removed all Corona virus related restrictions.  However, to protect the Indigenous People of Vale do Javari travel into this region will need to wait until 2021.

In our last update, we shared about the creation of the Javari Project, lead by Céline Cousteau, which grew out of her documentary Tribes on the Edge. One of the key pillars of action in the Javari Project is now more clearly defined under the headline "Alternative Livelihoods". Following consultations with local Indigenous leaders, and guided by the wishes and needs of the community, the Alternative Livelihoods pillar will structure and implement the following actions in 2021 and beyond:

1. Cultural Workshops;
2. Self-Economic Determination;
3. Community Outreach.

Any of the actions taken as part of the Javari Project will be done only after consultation and agreement by the local leaders and Javari communities at large. In a recent interview Ms. Cousteau shared that "at the Javari Project, we’re not saying that we think the future of the Javari should look a certain way – we want to help its people preserve their cultures and achieve the future they’re looking to build."

Provided with this update is a link to her December 17 interview with Forest Trends entitled "The Long View: A Conversation with Céline Cousteau".

When the return to the Vale do Javari is finally possible in the new year, implementation of the three actions will begin as well as further planning for the other key priorities of the Javari Project.  While COVID-19 has been a set back in-terms of timing for implementation of the work and delivery of key supplies, as Céline shared in her interview, " [we're] here for a marathon....change is going to take a really long time, and we need to pace ourselves".

Links:

• Celine Cousteau's December Interview About the Javari Project