In a significant move towards environmental conservation, indigenous communities across Ecuador and Colombia have assembled to form dedicated land guards. These guards battle against significant threats, including oil companies and drug related deforestation, especially in regions near the Ecuador Colombia border. They are committed to protecting millions of acres of the world’s most biodiverse rainforest, a task they undertake by pairing advanced technology with ancestral wisdom. These protectors, who come from various regions of the amazon, Andes, and the coast, have been successful in their mission by using techniques from their indigenous heritage.
They walk extensive distances, prepared to confront illegal activities like poaching, mining, and logging within their territories. The group has been successful in preserving their habitat by driving mining companies away. Besides defending their lands, the guards are also actively involved in mapping their ancestral territories, such as sacred sites, medicinal plants, and animal reproductive zones. This extensive mapping process incorporates technology like drones, GPS, and camera traps, along with traditional knowledge. The use of mobile applications for mapping has greatly enabled and sped up the process.
These apps assist in building comprehensive maps of their lands while also enabling them to identify and locate threats like illegal logging, poaching, mining, and fishing. Indigenous leaders share the dream that young tribe members will continue to defend these territories as a way of life, preserving their legacy for future generations.
