92586
Finding Sustainable Ways to Extract Forest Products in the Amazon                                         December 13, 2005
Pilot Program Extractive Reserves Project (RESEX)

These reserves are based on the premise that             President Wolfowitz visits communities
traditional communities that gather forest products,     working in the Extractive Reserves
such as rubber and Brazil nuts, can also be good         Project
                                                         - Dec. 17, 2005
stewards of natural resources and help avoid the
                                                          Photos | Video
environmental impact of more intensive types of
land use, such as cattle ranching.                       President Wolfowitz visits Brazil
                                                         Full coverage
Since 1995, the Extractive Reserves Project ($17
million) has provided support to the first and largest
extractive reserves established in Brazil. These four
reserves cover 2.1 million hectares – an area half
the size of Switzerland [see map]. 

The idea of extractive reserves was originally
proposed by the Amazonian rubber tappers in the
state of Acre in the 1970s. The rubber tappers
movement gained worldwide visibility when its
leader, Chico Mendes, was assassinated in 1988.

The Extractive Reserves Project is helping to
transform Chico Mendes’ dream into reality by
strengthening the local reserve associations and
supporting the development of new agroforestry
crops and forest products and sustainable
production techniques.

Project results include progress on:

       completing the legalization of the reserves,
                                                         The Extractive Reserves Project is
                                                         strengethining the local reserve associations.
       strengthening local community
       organizations ,

       installing needed infrastructure , and

       improving subsistence and commercial
       production.

New products and techniques that the project is
                                                         Financing
helping to introduce include:
                                                         Cost:   US$17 million
       use of medicinal plants,
                                                         Sources of funding:
       development of eco-tourism,                       Rain Forest Trust Fund
                                                         European Commission
                                                         Brazilian counterpart funds
       cultivation and use of natural vines,
                                                         Participants
       production of handicrafts, and
                                                         Ministry of Environment
                                                         National Center for the Sustainable
       use of fallen timber for small-scale wood
                                                         Development of Traditional Populations
       processing.                                       (CNPT)
                                                         Brazilian Institute of the Environment and
                                                         Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA)
                                                         National Rubber Tappers Council (CNS)
                                                         Local reserve associations and community-
                                                         based groups.

                                                         More details

                                                           Full project information & documents
Updated: December 2005