Projects in indigenous lands to receive $10 million from Amazon Fund

The Brazilian government has authorized the grant of $10 million from the Amazon Fund aimed at carrying out projects of sustainable environment management in indigenous areas in the states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso and Pará. These funds, which are non-reimbursable, will be granted by the National Economic and Social Development Bank (“BNDES”), which coordinates the Fund.

One of the projects, with an investment of $7 million, is expected to benefit 37 thousand indians in 28 indigenous lands in southern Amazonas, conflict areas included. Among the projects to be benefited by the grant are those that promote the sustainable handling of forest-derived products, family agriculture, and sustainable fishing in indigenous lands in the Humaitá region, which is home to the Tenharim Marmelo reserve, where a serious crisis arose in December 2013 as three men disappeared and were found dead in the reserve two months later. The suspects were five indians, who were subsequently taken to jail.

In the view of Secretary for Indigenous Peoples of the state of Amazonas Bonifácio José Baniwa, this project is a step forward in recognizing the rights of indigenous people. “Land demarcation is the first step, but it’s not enough. Next come land management and the sustainable development projects, with the creation of jobs and the generation of income, ensuring the livelihood and the sustainability of indigenous people,” he said.

The second project, developed by the Socio-Environmental Institute, will be granted $3 million, to be invested in activities connected with resource extraction and family agriculture in the Xingu River basin in eleven municipalities in Mato Grosso and two in Pará.

“We can protect the environment and foster the development [of these areas] with social inclusion and dignity for indigenous peoples, who need to be respected in the management of their already demarcated areas,” said Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira.

According to BNDES Environment Director Guilherme Lacerda, the Amazon Fund currently includes 53 projects aimed at monitoring, inspecting and strengthening productive activities for indians. Investments total over $300 million.

The Amazon Fund consists of resources donated by the Norwegian and German governments, as well as oil giant Petrobras.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira