ICAA - Indigenous Landscapes: Conserving the Andean Amazon

The initiative focuses on reducing deforestation and loss of biodiversity through the preservation of indigenous territories. ICAA works through the Indigenous Landscapes Consortium (IL), which brings together various stakeholders, including indigenous organizations, non-indigenous communities, governments, and environmental ministries. The consortium aims to strengthen the participation of indigenous organizations in conservation efforts, reduce major threats to the ecosystem, and establish mechanisms for sustainable natural resource management. The IL Consortium operates in areas with significant biodiversity, including the Cofan Mosaic in Ecuador and the North Selva Central Mosaic in Peru. These regions are home to various ethnic groups, such as the Quichua, Secoya, Siona, and Cofan, and feature a range of protected areas, including national parks and indigenous reserves. The main threats to the Andean Amazon ecosystem include the expansion of agricultural and cattle activities, proliferation of illegal activities affecting natural resource use, poorly planned infrastructure projects, and immigration. To address these challenges, ICAA has implemented various initiatives, including training programs for natural resource management and biodiversity conservation, policy dialogue events, and the development of laws and regulations for conservation and sustainable development. As a result of these efforts, ICAA has achieved significant progress, including the improved management of over 3 million hectares of land, the protection of over 600,000 hectares of biological importance, and the training of over 2,000 people in natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, more than 80 policies, laws, agreements, and regulations have been developed or strengthened to support conservation and sustainable development, and over 100 policy dialogue events have been held to promote co-sponsored conservation efforts. The benefits of ICAA's work have been felt by over 800 people, who have benefited from increased economic opportunities derived from sustainable natural resource management and conservation actions. As the initiative continues to grow and evolve, its focus remains on preserving the Andean Amazon ecosystem and promoting the well-being of indigenous communities and the environment.