The Ywy Ipuranguete project, funded by the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, aims to enhance management and protection of 15 Indigenous territories in Brazil. It will empower the Indigenous communities, promoting sustainable practices and conserving biodiversity. The initiative emphasizes the importance of Indigenous stewardship in protecting the environment, backed by significant financial investment and support from various organizations.
A new initiative, named Ywy Ipuranguete, has been launched in Brazil to assist Indigenous Peoples in managing and safeguarding their lands. This Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) project aims to enhance governance across 15 Indigenous territories spanning 6 million hectares within Brazil’s diverse biomes. The territories are home to 57,000 Indigenous individuals, whose stewardship is crucial for maintaining the nation’s ecological health.
Coordinated by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) and managed by the Brazilian Fund for Biodiversity (FUNBIO), the project endeavors to strengthen sustainable management practices and bolster the conservation of critical biodiversity areas. The official unveiling of Ywy Ipuranguete, translating to ‘beautiful land’ in the Tupi-Guarani language, occurred on March 18 at the Memorial of Indigenous Peoples in Brasília, featuring collaboration among government officials, Indigenous leaders, and funding entities.
Sonia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples, remarked, “The Indigenous Peoples are the true guardians of the forest, and this project reinforces the essential role they play in environmental conservation and combating the climate emergency.” The initiative is designed to empower Indigenous communities, thus promoting their methods of land management and ancestral knowledge for the benefit of society at large.
The International Institute of Education of Brazil (IEB), with assistance from the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (Funai), will execute the project. Funded by the GBFF, part of the Global Environment Facility, this initiative aims to tackle significant environmental challenges through collaborative efforts.
Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s focus, stating, “I am delighted that one of the first projects of the GBFF supports the involvement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.” Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, CEO of the GEF, emphasized that support for Indigenous territorial management is integral to global biodiversity conservation.
The Ywy Ipuranguete project represents a significant step toward empowering Indigenous communities in Brazil, promoting the sustainable management of their territories. With substantial investment and collaboration from various entities, the initiative aims to harness Indigenous knowledge and improve biodiversity protection efforts. By reaffirming the role of Indigenous Peoples as critical environmental stewards, this project not only benefits local communities but contributes to the broader ecological stability of the region.
Original Source: www.thegef.org
