Pavacachi is a remote Kichwa community in the Amazon Basin in Ecuador. It lies on the Curaray River, a tributary of the Amazon, 180km east of Puyo, the nearest town at the base of the Andes Mountains. The only way to access the area is by light aircraft or a 7 day hike and canoe ride! The area contains some of the highest diversity of plant and animal species anywhere in the world. Pavacachi borders Yasuni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Area, recognised as one of the world's 'biodiversity hotspots'.

The Pavacachi community has title to the area, totalling an astounding 53 000 ha of primary rainforest, which it manages through ASOFVH (The Beautiful Valley Forest Association). In order to protect the enormous diversity of flora and fauna, and to provide a forest home for their future generations, ASOFVH was set up as a legal entity recognised by the Ministry of the Environment, Ecuador in 1988. Members of the Pavacachi community are in the process of constructing facilities to house eco-tourism and research projects, in order to generate an income for their families, and to ensure the protection of the rainforest and its wildlife.

The need for Assistance

Living with the Pavacachi community through much of 2005, Earth Sessions' founders co-managed a research program to catalogue the biodiversity of the rainforest at Pavacachi. Interacting with the environment - the forest, incredible diversity of flora and fauna, and the community - in their transition between traditional and developing world, was an unforgettable experience for all of those involved. At the request of community members, we were invited back in 2006 to discuss setting up ongoing Community Development Expeditions. The aim of the expeditions would be to provide funding and assistance for ASOFVH and the Pavacachi community in improving their quality of life, assisting in their eco tourism efforts, and preserving their rainforest environment.

The goals identified through discussions with community leaders include:

-Providing employment and an income for community members as guides, cooks, canoe operators etc.
-The construction of appropriate accommodation to house tourists, volunteers, students and researchers who would have access to the incredible array of habitats, flora and fauna in Pavacachi
-Providing transport in and out of the community using light planes hired for the expeditions.
-The purchase of a two way radio to provide a link to the outside world and to their families 200km away in the nearest town.
-The provision of running water to houses in the community.
-The provision of filtration systems to provide clean drinking water.
-The installation of solar power to provide electricity and replace candles.
-The purchase of an outboard motor to power dugout canoes to transport the community, materials, researchers and tourists.
-The need for an English language program to enhance communication between the community and future guests of the eco-tourism lodge.
-Knowledge and assistance in developing permaculture techniques - establishing sustainable land management practices, increased yields, variety of foods and increased nutrition.
-Constructing further tourism and research facilities, such as a rainforest canopy tower, bird and animal hides, and remote area camping and research shelters to facilitate visitors
-Mapping the boundary and features of the reserve with GPS and entering the data into Geographical Information Systems to facilitate further scientific study
-Setting up photo trapping points throughout the reserve to photograph cryptic and nocturnal fauna species such as puma, jaguar and ocelot, tapir, monkeys to raise awareness of the area
-Identifying contacts and partnerships with local and international NGO's research bodies, media etc in an effort to highlight the significance of the area for future protection.
-To raise the profile of the location as a remote, untouched, unique Amazon adventure location to attract local and international tourists.

Some of the significant goals identified with the Pavacachi community have now been achieved. Earth Sessions have funded the community in the construction of a 24-person research camp, a 30-person dugout canoe and outboard motor.