AID grant to the Cultural Survival Inc. for a program in the study of indigenous land, Hollin-Loreto Road

(CSI) to conduct land tenure and sociological surveys among the Indians of the northwestern Oriente region of Ecuador. CSI will implement the project in cooperation with the (Ecuadoran) Indian Federation (CONFENIAE) and two regional Indian federations (FOIN) and (FECUNAE). Along the margins of a road being built from Loreto to the Hollin River, extensive land clearing is taking place and, with the expected influx of new settlers, disputes over land use and titles will erupt. This grant will begin the phased process of managing development by funding systematic socioeconomic surveys which will be conducted in the indigenous communities along the road by community members trained by CSI. The information obtained will focus on land tenure but will include population, local services, and agricultural practices. Following the survey, paperwork necessary to consolidate existing and putative land claims will be undertaken. It is expected that these efforts will lead to formulation and implementation of a comprehensive conservation and land use program, funds for which will be solicited.