The ancestral A’i Cofán community of Sinangoe is located along the banks of the Aguarico River, in Gonzalo Pizarro canton, Sucumbíos province, deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Its territory lies within an area of extraordinary biodiversity, in the sphere of influence of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve—a reserve renowned for its primary forests, wetlands, rivers, and remarkable diversity of flora and fauna.
Iconic Amazonian species such as jaguars, monkeys, birds, and a wide variety of freshwater fish depend on the health of the Aguarico River system. For the community, this territory is not only their home but also a sacred space where rivers and forests play an essential role in their daily life. This deep connection underpins their commitment to defending and conserving their territory.
In accordance with the A’i Cofán people's territorial governance, the GEF Integrated Management of the Putumayo–Içá River Basin Project, in partnership with COPADE Ecuador, is implementing a subproject focused on the sustainable use of local ecosystems. This initiative combines the conservation of more than 700 hectares of forest with community development, directly benefiting approximately 120 community members and indirectly supporting the entire Sinangoe population.
The subproject focuses on the sustainable management of morete (Mauritia flexuosa) and ungurahua (Oenocarpus bataua) palms—characteristic Amazon floodplain species that are fundamental to the community. Participatory management plans have been developed to define appropriate harvesting levels, ensuring the natural regeneration of these species and their responsible use. These plans have also supported the generation of value-added products, such as cosmetic oils, while maintaining traditional uses within the community.
Left: Women from the community climbing palm trees to harvest and then sort morete, a non-timber forest fruit. Right: Community members crafted traditional baskets for harvesting and taught younger generations how to weave them.
Photo by José Cuenca (Agroforestry Field Technician at COPADE Ecuador).
Morete and ungurahua palms can reach 25-39 m in height, making fruit harvesting challenging. To address this, the project has provided specialised equipment and trained community members in climbing techniques. This improves harvesting safety, promotes responsible forest use, and reduces impacts on the palms and their surrounding environment.
“These workshops have helped us improve safety during the harvest of morete and ungurahua and ensure that we produce a clean, high-quality product,”
says Damaris Criollo, a Sinangoe community member.
The project has also included leadership and participation workshops to strengthen internal organisation, governance, and community empowerment—key elements for sustainable territorial management.
“This project will help us conserve the forest, which is important so that our children can also harvest its fruits in the future, just as our elders did.”
says Erika Narváez, a Sinangoe community member
In addition, the subproject has promoted the production of traditional baskets woven from native plant fibres for harvesting morete and ungurahua fruits. These baskets help revive ancestral knowledge while improving the transport and handling of products during harvest. Their use enables more efficient and organised harvesting practices and reduces environmental impact, while also encouraging intergenerational knowledge sharing within the community.
Training workshop using specialized equipment for safe palm climbing, which can reach up to 30 meters in height.
Photo by José Cuenca (Agroforestry Field Technician at COPADE Ecuador).
In the context of Earth Day, the A’i Cofán community of Sinangoe and the GEF Integrated Management of the Putumayo–Içá River Basin Project highlight these efforts as a tangible example of how forest conservation can be linked to sustainable livelihoods. This occasion offers an opportunity to recognise the vital role of Amazonian communities in protecting critical ecosystems and to reaffirm a shared commitment to sustainable land management.
Sinangoe is committed to the sustainable management of approximately 700 hectares of forest within the Putumayo–Içá River Basin. Through these efforts, the community contributes to the conservation of its territory and to environmental sustainability at both regional and global levels.
About the project
The efforts of the GEF Project for the Integrated Management of the Putumayo-Içá River Basin contribute to biodiversity conservation, food security, and the culture of riverside families who depend on an extensive system of wetlands, marshes, and lakes of high ecological value, which play a key role in life and the planet's climate balance.
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