Where do funds go in The Jaguar Amazon REDD+ Project?

The Peruvian Amazon has been in great danger of deforestation especially after the construction of the transoceanic road that goes through this rainforest. Current resources fail to adequately control the Peruvian Amazon and protect it from transient farmers and illegal loggers attracted by the great value and accessibility of endangered rainforest trees. The Jaguar Amazon REDD+ Project is dramatically reducing deforestation by increasing surveillance in the rainforest and benefiting local communities.

The Jaguar Amazon REDD+ Project consists of 183.015 hectares of rainforest, located in the Peruvian Amazon, only 385 km from the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas”. It is located less than 20 km to the side of the new inter-oceanic road that unites Brazil with the Peruvian ports. Situated among the Tahuamanu, Muymanu and Manuripe river basins, the project area is among the biologically richest places on the planet, housing more plant and animal species than most places with the same surface in the world. The project area holds a surprising high number of jaguars -one of the highest recorded in the world- reflecting its astonishing state of conservation. The project will drastically reduce deforestation and protect the habitat of endangered species.

The absolute guarantee and the unquestionable transparency of the project is given by the highest qualifications and certifications granted by the international carbon markets. The project has been certified by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), CCB Gold Level (Climate, Community and Biodiversity) and VCS (Verified Carbon Standard).

Specific plans of involvement

• 25.8 % of the funds are destined to social plans
• 25.6% of the funds are destined to preserve the Amazonian biodiversity
• 32.5 % of the funds are destined to surveillance and monitoring of the project area
• 16.1 % of the funds are destined to investigation and international certifications

Social plans

The total investment in social plans is distributed in the following manner:

7.5% destined to the dissemination and socialization of the project, by means of the elaboration of educational material, visualization, meetings and educational workshops and conferences to transmit the REDD project’s experience to local and regional communities and exchange feedback as to how said project can best benefit them.

55.0% destined to promote and develop environmentally friendly productive projects that look to a more efficient use of the soil and to earn certifications for the products obtained, achieving an added value for them. This will benefit the rural farmers from the neighboring communities and will be carried out in coordination with governmental entities such as IIAP (Investigation Institute for the Peruvian Amazon) and the Ministry of Agriculture. An example is the promotion of the organic certification of the Brazil nuts production, which will improve its access to international markets through certification.

8.5% destined to building capacity by means of workshops, courses and training to members of the nearby communities who are interested in improving their qualifications.

29.0% destined to social funds. By means of these funds, support is given to the nearby rural communities through donations orientated to social welfare such as, improvement of the infrastructure of schools, health centers; donations of computers and educational materials to support education within the area of influence of the project. At the same time, social work is done to strengthen the management capacities of the communities so they can have better access to the educational improvements offered by the government.

Preservation of Amazonian biodiversity

The total investment in biodiversity is distributed in the following manner:

• 20.5% destined to the constant monitoring of the high value conservation attributes such as fauna indicator species, flora, its structure and composition by means of sampling plots, as well as monitoring of water sources and soil. Special emphasis is made in the monitoring of jaguars through the installation of trap cameras. To date there are 100 cameras installed that are being monitored, not only for jaguars but for all the endangered species that are being protected by the project.
• 6.4% destined to raising awareness on subjects of importance for the project such as environmental crimes, importance of the forests, wildlife, etc.
• 42.8% destined to the protection of the area by means of mitigation of impacts, forbidding hunting activities in the area.
• 30.3 % destined to the improvement and expansion of the lodge that was created as an interpretation center for wildlife and to promote non-extractive activities in the rainforest such as birdwatching and adventure and nature experience-based tourism.

Surveillance and monitoring

The total investment in surveillance and monitoring is distributed in the following manner:

• 2.5% destined to the design and periodic revision of the protection plan of the project area.
• 7.2% destined to the construction or improvement of infrastructure necessary for surveillance and control, including the creation of new control posts and the purchase of new equipment, vehicles and adequate technological tools to efficiently surveille the project area from strategic sites.
• 7.2% destined to fire brigades.
• 39.7% destined to carrying out periodic surveillances both by land and by water and with the help of drones in the more vulnerable sectors. Also, 100% of the non-natural borders of the project area are monitored periodically. Surveillance is likewise done through satellite images and employing the Early Alert System which allows us to detect potential dangers for the rainforest.
• 43.4% destined to the demarcation and installation of signals (demarcation of borders and signs prohibiting hunting, fishing, logging, etc.).

Investigation and international certifications

The total investment in investigation and certification is distributed in the following manner:

• 44.2% destined to the area of investigation. Part of the funds are destined to the improvement of the infrastructure necessary for the investigation such as installations to develop research in the rainforest (in flora, fauna, biodiversity, environmental variables that influence the biotic spects of the project area, etc.). Another part of the funds are destined to the operative development of the investigation such as financing of basic and applied research that result in trustworthy tools for the sustainable management of the rainforest.
• 55.8% destined to FSC Certification, VCS Certification and CCB Gold Certification.