Main initiatives in Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve, Bolivia

The Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve is part of the Vilcabamba-Amboró biological corridor, which is characterized by high biodiversity. It has a dual status: it is a protected area of national interest, and it is also a Community Land of Origin owned by the Tsimane' Mosetene Regional Council on behalf of the Tsimane', Mosetene, and Tacana communities that live in the area.  

Most Indigenous communities in the biosphere reserves practice traditional subsistence agriculture, with slash-and-burn operations to clear small areas for crops each year. Once their crops are harvested, these areas form fallows, that is, plots of regenerating secondary forest. A good practice is to restore these plots by planting permanent species under agroforestry systems, such as cocoa, that can also generate income for Indigenous families.  

Through the Amazon Biosphere Reserve Project, grafted Criollo cocoa seedlings were distributed to 55 families from 9 communities to help them grow cocoa sustainably. This practice restores the secondary forest, conserves the genetics of local Amazonian varieties, and supports the family’s livelihood. The families also received training to learn about the transfer of seedlings and their preservation to ensure the proper growth of the plant. 

Large forest wildfires have impacted Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve over the past 10 years, due to uncontrolled burning of agricultural plots and other causes such as the negligence of hunters and unauthorized visitors with their cigarettes. These forest fires have caused serious damage and loss of wild flora and fauna, water sources, and in some cases agricultural and forestry plantations, among others.  

These wildfires and the damage they caused have highlighted the biosphere reserve's lack of capacity, preparation and equipment to prevent and respond to fire hazards. Without adequate protective equipment or the necessary tools, the park rangers put their lives at risk.  

With the support of the Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project, nearly 100 people were trained to respond to, control and suppress forest wildfires, including members of the local community managers and park rangers, firefighting volunteers and the biosphere reserve's Protection Corps. Equipment for fire hazard response and protective equipment was purchased for 10 rangers.

Meliponiculture can promote social, cultural, economic, and ecological sustainability in the Amazon basin. In addition to producing honey, it also contributes to the conservation of melipona, native bees that provide essential ecosystem services such as pollinating native flora and commercial crops.

The Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project supported two training courses for about 50 people, who also received meliponia boxes to start their own production.

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.