From Machetes to Maps: How a ‘Red Line’ Eased Conflict in Bolivia’s Amazon

Aug 19, 2016 | Candido Pastor
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Over the past 30 years, Bolivia has tried to protect its valuable forests from agricultural clear-cutting by establishing a protected area system that covers more than 16 percent of the country’s territory. Although community-level conflicts have too often stood in the way of successful conservation efforts, the progress made in Carrasco National Park since 2004 proves that these challenges can be overcome.

Thanks to a lot of patience and commitment from Conservation International and the local government authorities, we ended up with a better understanding of the needs and rights of the parties in conflict. Tensions tend to arise when people don’t have access to the information they need. Now, local people are more aware of their land rights as a basis of the agreement between the various groups using the land. In addition, the creation of the red line will be key to help reduce future threats to this forest, such as road construction through critical forest areas.

There is still much work to be done in CNP, especially in the long process of establishing a management plan that promotes sustainable production in the communities. CI continues to support the process by which different stakeholders can come together and agree upon mutually beneficial uses of the protected area. It hasn’t been easy, but today Carrasco National Park serves as a solid example of how conflict over natural resources can be resolved peacefully.