Conservation of Biodiversity in the Andes and Amazon Basin – Linking Science, Ngos and Indigenous People

INTRODUCTION:

This international interdisciplinary congress will deal with theconservation of biodiversity in the Andes and Amazon Basin with focus onthe countries Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. These countries are hosting anenormous cultural and natural diversity. The ecosystems are ranging from deserts to tropical forests. Between the two extremes there is a varietyof plant formations: mangroves, lowland forests in the Amazon basin,tropical dry forests, relicts of Andean forests and scrub formations inthe Paramo region. Biodiversity reaches its peak in the complex tropicalmountain forests on the slopes of the Andes, which were declared as oneof the "Biodiversity-Hotspots" world-wide (Nature, Vol. 403, February2000). But all of the above mentioned ecosystems have in common, thatthey are threatened by logging, burning, grazing or other land-useactivities. Although there is already a lot of knowledge about theimportance and vulnerability of these ecosystems, the destruction isgoing on.

The congress will provide a unique opportunity to join different groupsbeing concerned with biodiversity: scientists, environmentalorganizations and local/indigenous people. The exchange of variousviewpoints, requirements and knowledge, as well as the realization ofthe current deficits could facilitate the development of improvedconservation strategies and a better management of the naturalresources. Right now, the cooperation of science, NGOs and indigenouspeoples is frequently insufficient. NGO representatives are often notaware of the ongoing research in their working area, whereas indigenouspeoples are sometimes not asked when management plans are established toprotect special areas. For a long-term protection of biodiversity it iscrucial to develop conservation strategies in a joint effort.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective is to stimulate an exchange of knowledge andviewpoints between scientists, NGOs and indigenous peoples.Investigators are invited to present their scientific results, whereasNGOs should present their project experiences in endangered areas.Indigenous and local peoples are enabled to talk about theirrequirements for development and their interests in conserving theirenvironment.

CONGRESS PROGRAM THEMES

Introduction: The importance of biodiversity in the the Andes and AmazonBasin Science – ivory tower or contribution to the conservation ofbiodiversity?1. Biodiversity of the tropical regions in South America (with focus onEcuador, Peru and Bolivia)2. How is science contributing to the conservation of biodiversity?NGOs – between „parks without people" and (sustainable) development3. Deficits of science and knowledge – from the viewpoint of NGOs andindigenous people4. How are NGOs contributing to the conservation of biodiversity?Ecotourism – chances and risks5. Chances and risks of ecoturism for the conservation of diversity anda sustainable development6. Cultural integrity - ecotourism from the viewpoint of indigenouspeopleIndigenous peoples – interests between conservation and development7. Traditional land-use-forms and knowledge about medical plant use8. Development versus inteletual property rightsConclusion: Perspectives for cooperation between science, NGOs andindigenous people

DATE AND LOCATION

The congress is planed between the 24th and 28th of september 2001 inCusco, Peru. Cusco is located in the south of Peru near the famousNationalpark of Manu. It is easy accessible from Bolivia and Ecuador, aswell as from abroad. It is a touristic town with good accommodationinfrastructure.

ORGANIZING NGOS

The congress is organized by the International Network for theConservation of Biological and Cultural Diversity INKA e.V. (Munich,Germany) and the Fundación Científica San Francisco FCSF (San Diego,USA), which is running a research station in the mountain forests ofsouthern Ecuador. Both organizations are struggling for the conservationof biological and cultural diversity. The accompanying scientist is Dr.Rainer Bussmann (FCSF), who is working on the ecuadorian mountainforests (ceja.andina@t-online.de). INKA e.V. will coordinate thecongress logistics.

Conference languagesSpanish and English will be the two languages during the conferenceperiod. We highly recommend all persons who are able to speak Spanish to communicate in this language to render the exchange between allparticipating groups. The organizing NGOs (INKA e.V. and FCSF) will notbe able to provide interpretation of the presentations or translation ofthe papers into other languages.

CALL FOR INTEREST AND PAPERS

All interested groups or individuals are invited for contributions tothe congress. Please inform us with the response sheet if you areinterested to participate and in which form you would like to take part.

For a response sheet you may mail (Sigrun.Lange@inka-ev.de) or fax (++49 – 89 –45 91 19 20). Otherwise you are able to use the form from our webpage: www.inka-ev.de and send it directly from the webpage to our office.

INKA e.V. – International network for the conservation of cultural andbiological diversityGravelottestr. 681667 MunichGermanye-mail: Sigrun.Lange@inka-ev.de (subject: Cusco 2001)

August 25 2000