Main initiatives in the Beni Biosphere Reserve, Bolivia

The Beni Biosphere Reserve is located in the Amazon River basin's lowlands, 45 km from the foot of the Andes, between two eco-regions: the humid forests of the southwestern Amazon and the Beni savanna.

The average rate of loss of forest cover is 5 km²/year. Threats include illegal logging, cattle ranching, and the expansion of human settlements.

Three greenhouses, covering an area of 5,000 m², were built with the support of the Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project since 2021. They provide the Tsimane' Indigenous People and seven local communities with seeds of high-quality native timber species of jajibo, mahogany, and mara, as well as citrus, banana and cocoa crops, in order to create plots under fallow agroforestry systems, areas traditionally used for agriculture by the local population. 

This initiative promotes long-term sustainable economic activity for the indigenous and local communities, strengthening their production capacities, while also contributing to the reforestation and rehabilitation of degraded lands. In addition to the greenhouses, 210 mahogany seedlings, 210 cacao seedlings, 480 bananas and 3,000 citrus seedlings were planted, covering an area of about 2 hectares.

Fire was traditionally used to open and clear agricultural fields using the slash-and-burn technique in the Amazon. This ancient technique has coexisted with the Indigenous and local communities without causing large wildfires. However, in recent years, following anthropogenic activities that have caused forest degradation, changes in land use, and climate change and its impacts, the occurrence of large-scale fires has increased significantly. In 2010, for example, fires affected 60% of the communities that live in the biosphere reserve. 

In response, a fire prevention and response strategy was launched in 2011 with managers, park rangers and local communities, with positive results: the number of fires was reduced by 80%. However, in 2019, 2020 and 2021 there were significant increases in the number of hot spots that led to forest fires. 

The Amazon Biosphere Reserves project supported training and equipment, allowing for the training of 485 people including fire control volunteers, firefighters, indigenous and local communities, national troops and marines. Equipment for fire control and individual protection was provided for 10 rangers of the biosphere reserve.

There are currently two camps in the Beni Biosphere Reserve that are used for protection activities, biodiversity monitoring, control and surveillance, training, and as a refuge for park rangers who spend 80% of their time here or in surrounding areas. The Marimono camp is located on the banks of the Curibaba River, and Los Petos is located on the banks of the Maniqui River in the Campo Bello community. 

The Los Petos camp was built in 2005, but over the years its basic structure has deteriorated, and it was at risk of collapse. To carry out their duties, the park rangers need adequate infrastructure with basic services and amenities. The Amazon Biosphere Reserve Project supported the partial renovation of the Los Petos camp to guarantee the return of its functions and the safety of the park rangers working there.

In Bolivia, the Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project has partnered with the Asociación Boliviana para la Investigación y conservación de Ecosistemas Andino Amazónicos (Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA) to support place-based initiatives promoting sustainable production and resource management, improving territorial governance, and added value of socio-biodiversity products.