An Initial projection on

Management and Conservation of Biodiversity.

December 1998

There are at present no roads into this area, which is accessed by track, seven days from Puya, and the network of rivers, the head of the River Pindoyacu being the focal point, and no commercial logging has taken place. Consequently there is an exceptionally high proportion of endemic species of both flora and fauna. Access is now available by air from nearby Shell, although this is limited at the moment by size of aircraft and cost.

Click below for the current listing of Birds & Mammals found at Juri Juri:

A more complete description of the flora and fauna will appear as the project progresses, many of the names obtained at present are the plant names given by the native Indians rather than botanical names.

As well as the abundance of flora and fauna, this area is of great importance because of the many rivers and tributaries running through it. The protection of rivers and streams from pollution will not only benefit the immediate areas but all the areas bounding on these watercourses.

In addition to the Reserves 3,000 hectares there are 1000 hectares of land available for use by the community as agricultural land. This is used for the production of foodstuffs, such as Manioc, Yuca, and Plantains. This agricultural land is essential for the continuance of the community and will be kept as such. It is hoped that as the community progresses, "cash crops" can be produced to add to the income of the community.

The Rainforest Charity Equafor, Leeds, England, is attempting to set up communications between Juri Juri and other well established reserves such as Jatun Sacha at Bilsa. This would give the community the opportunity to draw on the experience and expertise available at the mature reserves.

The numbers within the community total about fifty persons with ages ranging from one year to fifty five years old. There is a "Charita" which has been built to accommodate about fifteen visitors, alongside the community housing where also a Christian Church has been built of typical bamboo structure.

A Primary School has been built and is now teaching the younger children to a standard which meets the regulations of the Pastaza Board of Education.

3. Paths

Several pathways have been constructed between the community "village" and the reserve and there are also canoes to navigate the River Pinduyacu and it's tributaries thorough the reserve. All these pathways have been constructed by the community and will continue to be expanded, but always keeping the environmental impact to the absolute minimum.

4. Transport and Communications

There is a fully approved air strip for small aircraft arriving from the nearest airfield at Shell. During November 1998, a new landing strip was completed. This has been constructed entirely by the local community and is capable of handling larger twin engined aircraft. Not only will this make the journey safer, it should reduce the cost of the flights as a greater number of aviation operators can now fly to this location. The final inspection and certification by the Ecuadorian Aviation Authority is expected by 1999.

The only other means of access is by canoe or mule, there is no road access which is a great advantage to the conservation of the area. The nearest town is Puyo, which is about a seven day trek away.

The community have been donated a two way radio station which is battery powered, but they now urgently require a means of re-charging the batteries. Solar panels are being investigated as a means of providing sustainable power without any pollution to the environment.

5. Human Resources

The Cuyacocha Community has now existed, since it's inception in 1988, for ten years. All the achievements have been accomplished using their own resources for management, ideas and labour.

The community is now at a point where they require outside assistance in the way of promoting their objectives to the outside world and advancing some of their projects which require additional funding from outside the community.

One example of this is the requirement for Sergio Gualinga to hold a Certificate issued by the Ecuadorian Government, to allow him to take foreign visitors around the reserve.

To obtain this Certificate, he must attend a special course which for which there is a fee of $600 (USA), the Rainforest Charity Equafor have agreed to pay this fee as part of their Educational Programme for Rainforests.

6. Scientific Research

The forest of Juri Juri remains poorly known scientifically. It is important therefore for this reserve to be brought to the attention of Universities and other scientific bodies and that they be encouraged to consider this area for their research. In order to work in the reserve scientists must hold the requisite INEFAN permits and a letter of permission from the Cuyacocha Community.

This need for specialist scientific help in assessing the importance of this forest in ecological terms and producing inventories of the flora and fauna, is being actively pursued by the Rainforest Charity Equafor. They are trying to find some of this scientific expertise within the Universities of the UK, and arrange for an expedition to visit the community and the JuriJuri reserve. Likewise in the USA, Mrs. Pamela Shriman is actively seeking assistance from scientific bodies.

Researchers should submit copies of all reports and publications resulting from their work in the reserve to the Cuyacocha Community, in a form that is accessible to the layman. For example photographs of identified species found in the forest would provide useful information for future visitors and the Cuyacocha Community themselves.

The Reserve Juri Juri should have a financial organisation which is apart from the main structure of the Cuyacocha Community. An account should be opened for funds destined for work in the Reserve, managed by the Reserve Manager and the Cuyacocha Committee.

An Investment Fund should also be established apart from the Operating Fund, which would contain a long term investment of money for the upkeep of the Reserve. This fund should not be spent, but the interest used for reserve maintenance.

The success of these two funds will very much depend on the generosity of outside interests, particularly the Investment Fund.

The goal of this plan is to protect over the long term the Reserve Juri Juri within the Cuyacocha Community.

The Cuyacocha Community have already demonstrated their commitment to this project, and their ability to sustain it, over the last ten years.

It is now time for NGO’s, Charities and individuals to assist the Cuyacocha Community in realising their objectives, for without outside financial aid the project will stagnate.

In conclusion, the Reserve Juri Juri represents a unique resource in Ecuador and it’s protection will secure the flora and fauna of this rare untouched tract of rainforest.

The Reserve will be managed for the benefit of the Cuyacocha Community of Pastaza, the Country of Ecuador and the people of the world.

This plan was written with the consent and assistance of the Community of Cuyacocha, Pastaza, Ecuador, and their friend for many years Mrs Pamela Shriman, a teacher from Michigan, USA.

The author, Andrew Gill is a Trustee of the Rainforest Charity Equafor, Registered Charity 1040972, Leeds, England.

For further information on this project please use the following contacts:-

Pamela Shriman - Email ag621@detroit.freenet.org

Andrew Gill - Email andrew.gill@tesco.net

Juri Juri Web Site http://www.members.tripod.com/~jurijuri

Equafor Web Site http://www.bchip.com/equafor

JURIJURI - One of the mothers of hunted animals, a cannibalistic, bearded, troglodyte spirit, responsible in particular for watching over monkeys.