*All images and audiovisual resources in this document are from the “REDD+ Aire de Vida Monochoa Project.”
The rescue of children in the Araracuara jungle highlights the importance of initiatives like the “REDD+ Aire de Vida Monochoa Project” in the conservation of the Amazon rainforests.
San José del Guaviare, Guaviare, Colombia, July 17th 2023
In an astonishing tale of survival, the four children who were lost for 40 days – and who took off in a plane that later crashed on the Araracuara runway, in the border region between Caquetá and Amazonas in Colombia – were finally rescued alive. The episode, which captured worldwide attention, prompts us to ask: How do these communities live? And what are they doing to protect their territory, one of the most biodiverse on the planet? The video “REDD+ Aire de Vida Monochoa Project” presents a comprehensive strategy in which the local inhabitants, through the commercialization of carbon credits, are conserving their forests and achieving sustainable community development. This is not about illusions or promises; it is tangible money that is reaching the hands of the community and being invested in social, productive, governance, and monitoring needs – ultimately, in quality of life.
Watch the video:
Video “Proyecto REDD+ Aire de Vida Monochoa”
Araracuara, home to the Uitoto indigenous reserve of Monochoa, is a treasure of cultural and biological diversity. Located north of the Caquetá River and adjacent to the Chiribiquete National Natural Park, recognized as a World Heritage Site, this region provides invaluable environmental services not only to Colombia and the Amazon region but to the entire planet.
In response to growing threats such as deforestation, the “REDD+ Aire de Vida Monochoa Project” has become an interesting strategy to address these issues and improve the economic, environmental, and social conditions of the indigenous community. Through the commercialization of certified carbon reduction credits, direct income is generated and reinvested in sustainable livelihood plans for the residents, as well as social, productive, governance, and monitoring needs. This initiative not only incentivizes forest conservation but also enables the development of sustainable economic activities.
The Monochoa reserve has been a key player in the project implementation, with the local inhabitants determining the key activities. These include the revitalization of the “Maloca” space (a return to their origins, reclaiming their traditions, reaffirming their identity as Uitoto indigenous people), cultivation in chagras for food security, and strengthening cultural and educational processes. These actions aim to generate cultural ownership, improve the quality of life, provide economic support to the community, and promote biodiversity conservation.
To showcase this interesting model of conservation and sustainable development, the project has produced the video “REDD+ Aire de Vida Monochoa Project” directed by Colombian-French director Niko Jacob (@nikojacob). This visual material highlights some of the project’s achievements and demonstrates how the Uitoto indigenous community has committed to forest preservation, generating benefits for themselves and the environment.
The video serves as a tool to raise awareness and understanding of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects in Colombia, through the specific case of Monochoa.
The Community REDD+ Program Colombia (@ReddColombia on all social media platforms) invites the media and diverse audiences to share this video and join the cause – and the discussion – for forest conservation in Araracuara and throughout the country. By generating and distributing quality content about REDD+ projects in Colombia, the aim is to foster a constructive discussion about the importance of forest conservation, mitigation strategies, and the relevance of REDD+ projects in combating deforestation.
More information:
Juan Daniel Correa Salazar
Cel.: 310 213 2842
Mail: noticias@communityredd.com
Facebook: @ReddColombia
Twitter: @ReddColombia
YouTube: @ReddColombia
Instagram: @ReddColombia
LinkedIn: @ReddColombia
TikTok: @ReddColombia
