An indigenous council representing the communities of an exceptionally biodiverse region of the central Tropical Andes, has successfully gained a collective title to manage several hundred thousand hectares of land. This collective land title allows for greater control and management purview to the original stewards of the land that continue to practice sustainable natural resource management, monitor endangered species, and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Nature-based Intervention:

The Consejo Indígena del Pueblo Tacana (CIPTA), or Indigenous Council of the Tacana People, established in 1992 brought a land claim to the Bolivian government and managed to obtain a collective land title to manage 389,303 hectares of forest and savanna. Despite significant deforestation pressures, the Tacana people have managed to preserve traditional land and natural resource management principles protecting the integrity of the land. The management framework of the land title continues this legacy by prioritizing biodiversity conservation, forest protection, and the establishment of sustainable livelihood options for the twenty communities that live in the territory. More precisely, CIPTA engages in monitoring of endangered species, coordinated planning of current and future land uses, stricter hunting regulations, and the implementation of various disaster prevention mechanisms including the restoration of native crop varieties and relocating chicken runs and other animal enclosures to higher altitudes less vulnerable to flooding. The CIPTA has also created 24 community-based associations to both conduct and live off of agroforestry, ecotourism, cocoa production, and sustainable caiman hunting enterprises. Furthermore, to raise the level of participation of women in community works, an independent women’s organization has been established.

Overview of context and outcomes:

Predating the Inca empire, the Tacana people have resided on this land. The region contains 11 different forest and savanna ecosystems not yet represented in other areas protected by the government. Therefore, proper management of these areas is vital for the survival of these ecosystems, in particular the embedded wildlife that includes 51 endangered plant and animal species. The Tacana territory encompassed by this land title is a well-known hotspot for biodiversity and connects several habitats with the protected area of Madidi. Therefore, CIPTA’s work to maintain and increase the connectivity of the habitats under its land title with surrounding areas upholds the biodiversity present and focuses on its preservation and improved health.