Message Concerning the Xixuau-Xiparina Nature Reserve
10/16/99
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: MESSAGE TO THE CPI OF RORAIMA INVESTIGATING THE ASSOCIACAO
AMAZONIA AND THE XIXUAU-XIPARINA NATURE RESERVE
Source: Associacao Amazonia
Status: Distribute freely with credit given to source
Date: October 16, 1999
The Associacao Amazonia has been working in the Rio Jauaperi, South
Roraima, since 1991, protecting an area of 172,000 hectares, between
the basins of the Xixuau and Xiparina rivers. This area is of great
importance for he outstanding biodiversity present.
From the start the Association has been concerned about the legal
situation regarding ownership of the land, in consideration of the
harmful effects of commercial fishing boats, hunters and logging
activities which occured in the area with no form of control due to
the total absence of any legal protection agency. These actions were
leading to a gradual depletion of the natural resources of the area,
creating health problems, in particular malaria, which complicated
the sitation of the traditional population which has never received
adequate assistence from the public authorities.
A social-economic study was carried out, during which all the
communities were asked for their opinions in order to identify
priorities in assisting the local population and actions necessary to
protect the area. A campaign was started to raise environmental
awareness among the local communities so that they could participate
in the management of their natural resources. Particular attention
was given to health problems, in view of the arrival of a malaria
epidemic in the area. A joint project with the health authorities of
Amazonas (FNS), The Italian-Latin American Institute in Rome, The
Univeristy of Siena Italy and the Gaia Trust Denmark led to the
eradication of this disease within two years.
An education project with the aid of the Kleinwort Trust led to the
establishing of a school in the reserve which taught the children
between ages 6 and 12 with very positive results and produced the
'Livro Da Selva' recounting daily life in the Amazon Forest.
INPA (the National Amazon Research Institute) carried out research on
acquatic mammals in the reserve and the results were published in
scientific publications. Embrapa of Roraima carried out research into
medicinal plants present in the reserve with the aim of establishing
international cooperation in this field. The wildlife and natural
beauty of the area has been filmed by documentary companies like the
BBC and Icon/PBS of America.
A solution to the question of ownership was initially attempted by
buying the 'possession' of the land from the local Caboclo
inhabitants, who then ecame members of the Association. A declaration
of ownership was presented to the 2nd Civil Tribunal of Boa Vista; a
request was made to Iteraima (the land registry office of Roraima)
for the cession of rights of use to the land; and it was requested
that IBAMA declare the area a nature reserve. All of these requests
met with no success.
Doubts about the question of ownership of the Xixuau-Xiparina area
led to an investigation by the Comminssion of Land and Indigenous
Affairs of the Legislative Assembly of Roraima, under the presidency
of deputee Aurelina Medeiros and a scrutiny of the documentation
which currently exists as carried out. At the end of this
investigation the AA proposed the creation of a State Environment
Protection Area under the management of the Associacao Amazonia.
Deputee Aurelina asked for the opinion of IBAMA Roraima and Embrapa
Roraima, both of which declared themselves in favour. This proposal
was not taken to the Governor of the State due to the creation of the
CPI (parliamentary commission of inquest) 019/99.
Well aware of the historical moment which the Amazon is undergoing
and current changes in the global climate, we cannot ignore our
fundamental responsability in this matter. Bearing in mind that the
CPI was created with the specific objective of clarifying doubts
concerning the methods of aquisition of the 172,000 hectares
comprising the Xixuau-Xiparina Reserve, we must insist that the most
important question is not the ownership of the land but the use of
the land.
The objectives laid out in the Project for Environment Management of
the State of Roraima, as defined by SEPLAN/DEMA are the same as
those of the Associacao Amazonia, according to Article 3 of our
Statute, and emphasise that it is necessry to: Demonstrate that it is
possible for economic and environmental objectives to co-exist in the
tropical rain forest; Protect the genetic resources of the tropical
rain forest; Reduce the Amazon's contribution to the global emission
of carbon gasses; Offer an example of international cooperation
between developed and developing countries in global environment
protection.
We therefore request the following:
That a State decree declare the Xixuau-Xiparina an Area of
Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, with the active
participation of the traditional population, and the management of
the Associacao Amazonia, as well as the participation of educational,
scientific, cultural and economic authorities of the State of Roraima
and under the supervision of DEMA-RR (Department for the
Environment).
An Area of Environment Protection would continue to be owned by the
State and at the same time gain in value, research, development and
economic growth through international agreements of cooperation.
For those who have expressed problems concerning the 172,000 hectare
area of the Xixuau-Xiparina, it is important to point out that the
neighbouring State of Amazonas has five APAs (Areas of Environment
Protection), totalling 2.450.000 hectares, and two RDS (Sustainable
Development Reserves) totalling 3.474.000 hectares.
We believe that the participation of the State Government, Research
Institutes and NGOs will lead to a full and balanced development of
the State of Roraima where man and nature can co-exist in harmony and
allow the creation of a more just society based on mutual
solidarity.