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San Miguel del Bala, Bolivia. Community Eco-Lodge &
Eco-Tourism Rain forest hikes in and around the Madidi National Park. Comfortable lodging in cabins with electricity and private bathroom. |
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Welcome to our page about our nomination for the UNDP Equator Prize 2006/2007
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The Equator Prize is an international award that recognizes outstanding
local efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use
of biodiversity. The prize is awarded
every second year. The Equator Prize is a part of the Equator Initiative, which is a
partnership for sustainable communities in the tropics. Partners are United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), The
Government of Canada, Conservation International, Fordham University and a
number of research centres, non-profit organizations, foundations, et cetera. |
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We, the San Miguel
del Bala Community Eco-Tourism (Asociación San Miguel del Bala - Ecoturismo
Comunitario) was nominated to the Equator Prize in 2006 together with 309
others from 70 nations. The winners was
announced in May 2007. The five
honoured initiatives are from Madagascar, Bangladesh, Guatemala, Kenya and
Ecuador/the Galapagos.
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The following is a summary of our nomination, copied from www.equatorinitiative.net/content.lasso?cid=26 1. Initiative Description and Innovations NGO created by various groups working to protect National Park
Madidi’s natural resources and encourage responsible ecotourism. The
association has 7 fully equipped cabins surrounded by forests. 2. Poverty Reduction Providing salaries for guides, cooks, motorists or cabin workers.
Income from agricultural products, fishing, crafts and others. Economic
opportunities have changed ideas from wanting to emigrate to find a better
life to study and gain skills to improve their life in their community. 3. Biodiversity Impacts Increased understanding on biodiversity conservation, alternatives to
hunting and cutting trees. Renewed value in medicinal plants and other
sustainable uses of natural resources. Biological waste is used converted
into fertilizer while inorganic waste is recycled. 4. Combined Impact The initiative has provided community members with knowledge to better
use and protect natural resources while income from tourism help them care
for other basic needs. 5. Partnerships Initiative works with various NGOs that have supported their
ecotourism initiative through finds and technical assistance. However, it’s
the 36 members who have made greatest contribution to the project through
hard labour. 6. Sustainability 235 members are the owners and managers of the initiative. Trainings
on administration and marketing are sought from entities such as UNDP and CI,
though ultimately members want to be autonomous and self sufficient.
Excellent quality products and services will enable us to compete in
international markets, as outlined in the business plan. 7. Gender and Social Inclusion All residents have been involved in the project although not all are
members, but the entire community benefits. Also membership meetings take
place every 3 months were members, women and non-members alike can
participate. Women have access to jobs as cooks and working in the cabins,
enabling them to be more economically viable and active in meetings. 8. Biodiversity-based Business Award N/A [= Not applicable] 9. Other Information Just as the project has taught members, they hope it will teach
others. It is concerning that there is poor awareness in the country about
biodiversity conservation and the initiative can serve as a model of this
important activity. |
Sources. Links:
The Equator Initiative Home: www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/index.htm
Brochure: “Equator Initiative”
with information on Equator Prize 2006 and its Selection Criteria:
www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/documents/brochure/EI_Brochure_English.doc
Equator Prize 2006 Finalists: www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/equatorprize/EquatorPrize2006/2006-finalists.htm
“Announcing the winners of the Equator Prize!”: www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/documents/pdf/UNDP_Bulletin.pdf
“Equator Knowledge Zone” with “The Equator Initiative’s Online Best
Practice Database”: www.equatorinitiative.net/index.lasso
Bolivia Nominations for the Equator Prize 2006: www.equatorinitiative.net/content.lasso?cid=26
Nomination File, Description of the San Miguel del Bala Project, in
Spanish:
www.equatorinitiative.net/files/2006-0100_Bolivia_AsociacinSanMigueldelBalaEcoturismoComunitario.doc
The above picture (in the
left side of this page) with the logos of the Equator Initiative partners is
from www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/index.htm
This
map is from “Equator Knowledge Zone”: www.equatorinitiative.net/index.lasso
2007-06-10/11