The South Central People’s Development Association (SCPDA) is a federation of 17 indigenous Wapichan communities in Guyana that works to  secure indigenous land rights and promote socioecological resilience. 

Nature-based Intervention:

To support efforts to secure land rights and the sustainable use of natural resources, the South Central People’s Development Association (SCPDA) have developed a ‘living digital map’ of their traditional lands, created by community mapping teams using field research, smart phones, GPS units, and a drone. These methods and resulting map are then used to detect deforestation and other environmental damage caused by illegal logging and mining in their territories. In parallel, a Common Land Use Plan, adopted by all 17 villages, builds on local traditional knowledge to guide the communities to sustainably manage and conserve their natural resources. As part of the plan, community-conserved areas were established and inter-community agreements on the use of natural resources in Wapichan territories were brokered. A proposal has been submitted to create a 1.4 million-hectare Wapichan Conserved Forest area, which is currently being complemented by over 100 community-conserved areas established to protect key sites for ecological, cultural, and spiritual heritage. Moreover, explicit actions have reportedly been taken in service of climate change adaptation to risks such as prolonged dry seasons and drought including community-based fire management agreements and altered farming methods.

Overview of context and outcomes:

The Wapichan community territory in Guyana represents one of the most biologically rich and diverse areas within the country.