IAMSELVA.ORG / SELVA-VIDA SIN FRONTERAS' AMAZON PINK DOLPHIN 03/03/2024
Selva-Vida Sin Fronteras (SVSF) is recognized as the pioneering NGO and driving force behind the critical need to preserve the Cuyabeno corridor. Under the leadership of Executive President Mariana Almeida, and with the invaluable support of Kathy Reinerie, Frank Pon, Alexandra van Maasdijk, and the entire team in the Netherlands, SVSF has spearheaded initiatives aimed at safeguarding this vital ecological corridor. International organizations such as UNESCO, the Institute of Social Studies, Shenandoah University, Columbia University, the Latin American Faculty of Social Studies, among others, are in agreement with this assessment and endorse SVSF's efforts."
Professor Giles Jakson of Shenandoah University giving a recent lecture on Selva and the Amazon at the New York campus of Columbia University:
To quote former UNESCO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. Gustavo Lopez Ospina, 'It is imperative that we support Selva’s invaluable contribution to this vital ecological endeavor. While SVSF prefers to maintain an exceedingly low profile, it is in the interest of the Amazon Rainforest that this be modified, and credit given where credit is due. Not only is it necessary to acknowledge Selva’s role in shaping the Cuyabeno corridor, but it is also imperative that we support this vital ecological endeavor.'"
The Cuyabeno Amazon Rainforest Corridor.
The corridor bordering Cuyabeno National Park, extending from the Aguas Negras River to the Cuyabeno River, is a vital habitat for numerous mammal species, including jaguars, ocelots, river dolphins, and more. Several key factors contribute to its significance:
Habitat Connectivity: Maintaining habitat connectivity allows animals like jaguars to move between forest patches, ensuring gene flow and population viability.
Biodiversity Hotspot: The corridor encompasses diverse habitats, supporting a rich variety of mammals adapted to different ecological niches.
Prey Availability: Abundant prey populations within the corridor sustain large carnivores like jaguars and ocelots, ensuring healthy predator and prey populations.
Hydrological Connectivity: Rivers like the Aguas Negras and Cuyabeno Rivers provide essential water sources and habitats for various mammal species, including river dolphins and aquatic rodents.
Scientific studies, including ecological surveys and camera trap monitoring, provide evidence of the corridor's importance for mammal conservation, highlighting its critical role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function in the Amazon rainforest.
Future of Cuyabeno Corridor if left unprotected.
The potential environmental impact, particularly on fauna, if the Cuyabeno corridor were to fall into the hands of oil companies, is deeply concerning. Oil exploration and extraction activities bring with them a host of environmental threats, including habitat destruction, pollution, and fragmentation. The presence of production pools and monoculture further exacerbates these risks, leading to irreversible damage to the delicate ecosystems of Cuyabeno National Park.
For fauna, the consequences could be catastrophic. Species such as jaguars, ocelots, river dolphins, and countless others that rely on the corridor for habitat connectivity and resources would face significant challenges. Habitat loss and fragmentation would disrupt migration routes and breeding patterns, leading to population declines and increased vulnerability to extinction.
Moreover, the introduction of production pools and monoculture would introduce additionalstressors to the ecosystem. Toxic waste disposal and chemical runoff from oil extraction operations pose direct threats to water quality and aquatic life, including fish, amphibians, and aquatic mammals. Monoculture practices, such as oil palm plantations, further degrade habitat quality and reduce biodiversity, impacting both terrestrial and aquatic species.
In summary, the potential after-effects of allowing oil companies to exploit the Cuyabeno corridor are dire. The loss of this vital ecological corridor would not only jeopardize the rich biodiversity of the region but also undermine the cultural heritage of indigenous communities and compromise the long-term sustainability of the Amazon rainforest ecosystem. It is imperative that concerted efforts are made to protect and preserve this invaluable natural resource for future generations.
SELVA-Vida Sin Fronteras' NATURE FIRST STRATEGY.
When advocating for the urgent need to presere globally significant areas within the Amazon Rainforest, Selva-Vida Sin Fronteras consciously shifts from a philosophical paradigm prioritizing human development to one that emphasizes environmental preservation and the natural laws governing ecosystems. In taking this stance, we recognize the interconnectedness between humanity and nature. Before adopting this Strategy, we thoroughly evaluated the historical impact of human activities on the rainforest environment and assessed its sustainability.
Empirical data gathered and analysed over the past two years, reveals alarming rates of deforestation, driven primarily by activities such as logging, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Furthermore, extractive industries like oil and mining are causing widespread ecological degradation, including habitat destruction, soil erosion, and water pollution. These activities have far-reaching consequences for biodiversity loss, indigenous communities, and global climate patterns, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts to mitigate further environmental damage.
Given the glaring empirical evidence, SELVA-Vida Sin Fronteras introduces our new "Nature First Strategy" that is a direct response to the environmental mess human development has brought upon us.. This Strategy underscores the urgent need to prioritize environmental preservation over immediate human interests until a more harmonious balance is achieved. The rampant destruction of our environment cannot be overlooked or allowed to continue unchecked. Placing our trust solely in politicians, UN COP conferences led by vested interests, multilateral and bilateral cooperation would be naive at best.
With our Nature First Strategy, Selva merges proactive field activities with the insights of recognized academics, multidisciplinary specialists, and steadfast activists who have long championed nature's protection. Even as their voices risk fading into obscurity, their contributions remain invaluable in guiding our path forward.
Selva draws significant inspiration from Rachel Carson, whose work "Silent Spring" served as a wake-up call to the detrimental impacts of widespread pesticide use, notably DDT, on both the environment and human health. Published in 1962, Carson's ground-breaking book sparked widespread public awareness about the dangers posed by chemical pollutants and their profound effects on ecosystems. She eloquently underscored the interconnectedness of all living organisms and cautioned against the reckless exploitation of nature for short-term gains. Carson's call to action implored society to adopt a more prudent and sustainable approach to environmental stewardship. Today's empirical reality only reinforces Carson's belief that "the rapidity of change and the speed with which new situations are created follow the impetuous and heedless pace of man rather than the deliberate pace of nature."
Selva's Nature First Strategy also finds inspiration in a roster of influential figures in environmental thought. Among them:
Aldo Leopold, considered as the father of modern environmental ethics, champions the "land ethic," emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living beings and advocating for a moral obligation to treat the land with reverence and care.
E.O. Wilson, a distinguished biologist, who promoted biodiversity conservation, emphasizing the intrinsic value of preserving species and ecosystems. His concept of "biophilia" established the innate human connection to nature and underscored its essential importance for our well-being.
David Suzuki, a prominent Canadian scientist and environmentalist, raised awareness about ecological issues by promoting sustainable solutions. His efforts shed light on pressing issues like climate change and habitat destruction, stressing the need for systemic change to address these crises.
Bill McKibben, author and environmentalist, founded the climate advocacy group 350.org and emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change. His advocacy highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities and called for collective action to mitigate its effects.
Arne Naess and the Deep Ecology movement provided a profound critique of anthropocentrism and industrial capitalism's exploitation of nature. Naess's concept of "deep ecology" emphasized the intrinsic value of all living beings and called for a fundamental shift in human consciousness towards recognizing our interconnectedness with the natural world. This perspective challenges conventional notions of progress and economic growth, advocating instead for a simpler, more sustainable way of life that prioritizes ecological integrity and respect for non-human life forms.
To conclude: Selva's Nature First Strategy intends to provide contemporary relevance to important theoretical discussions on nature that prevailed in the past, aiming to reintroduce them into present-day policy formulation and implementation.
SELVA-Vida Sin Fronteras New Path towards Rainforest Conservation.
In the ongoing discourse of nature conservation, and with special reference to Selva Vida Sin Fronteras' Nature First Strategy, it is imperative to identify rainforest corridors requiring special protection. SVSF believes that purchasing these lands is the most effective and tangible solution, and in so doing, pioneers a new paradigm in environmental protection.
The Selva Cuyabeno and Belize Maya Corridor
While the Selva Cuyabeno Corridor initiative is specific and original to its context, it shares common ground with other significant programs such as the Belize Maya corridor, which strives to safeguard habitat connectivity for jaguars and other wildlife in Belize by bolstering a network of protected areas and wildlife corridors.
“We follow the Belize project very closely and learn this Central American initiative” says Almeida and we hope to compare efforts and join forces in a near future. Selva shares the pivotal strategy of the Belize Maya Corridor that entails land acquisition, pinpointing critical parcels, vital for conservation.”
This proactive approach precludes habitat fragmentation and mitigates threats such as agriculture or development. Stakeholders, including the Belize Forest Department and NGOs like WCS and Panthera, collaborate on multifaceted actions encompassing habitat restoration and wildlife monitoring.
Evidently there are differences between Cuyabeno and Belize regions. The Cuyabeno spans a vast expanse of hectares compared to Belize, its preservation necessitates more intricate conservation methodologies. The Selva Cuyabeno corridor harbors a thriving diversity of mammals across a spectrum of habitats, including rainforests and rivers. Notable species include jaguars, pumas, tapirs, monkeys, and aquatic mammals.
In contrast, the Belize Maya Corridor, though supporting fewer species, concentrates on safeguarding connectivity for jaguars and other large carnivores like pumas and ocelots, thereby upholding genetic diversity in Central America.
In sum, both regions make significant contributions to global biodiversity conservation efforts, employing tailored strategies to safeguard their distinctive ecosystem
The Comparative Advantage of SELVA-Vida Sin Fronteras in protecting the Cuyabeno Corridor
Selva is one of the very and exceedingly few recognized entities legally empowered to purchase rainforest tracts in the Cuyabeno.
The property titles acquired by SVSF, facilitated through various donors and shared ownership structures, represent more than just parcels of land—they are sanctuaries for biodiversity. Congruent to our "Nature First Strategy", Selva registers all purchased rainforest lands as Flora and Fauna Reserves, stipulating in the property tiles that they are totally shielded from the encroachment of extractive activities and that their sale is prohibited indefinitely over time, thereby ensuring their pristine beauty and ecological integrity for generations to come.
Moreover, SVSF goes beyond mere preservation by actively engaging indigenous communities as stewards of these reserves, providing training and employment opportunities as park guards. Through this inclusive approach, SVSF fosters a sense of ownership and pride among local communities, forging lasting partnerships in the name of conservation.
Under the vigilant guardianship of SVSF, the titles to these rainforest tracts find permanent safekeeping, symbolizing a commitment to environmental stewardship that transcends borders. Locked away in the secure confines of Selva's headquarters in the Netherlands, these titles serve as a testament to humanity's collective responsibility to protect our planet's natural heritage.
In essence, SVSF's initiative to purchase rainforest tracts represents more than just a solution—it is a testament to the power of collective action and the boundless potential of human ingenuity. By securing these sanctuaries for biodiversity, SVSF not only preserves the rich biodiversity within the Amazon rainforest but also paves the way for a more sustainable and harmonious future. In the face of unprecedented environmental challenges, we aspire to the Cuyabeno Corridor becoming a shining example of hope and resilience, inspiring us all to take bold steps towards a brighter tomorrow.
Join Forces for Nature: Together, Let's Preserve the Cuyabeno Rainforest Corridor with Selva-Vida Sin Fronteras!"
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