One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: The Sirionó and Yuquí Community Forestry Projects in the Bolivian Amazon

Abstract

Since the early 1990’s, “community forestry” has taken the spotlight in conservation and development initiatives in the Bolivian Amazon, particularly among indigenous peoples. This paper will examine the cases of two culturally related indigenous groups, the Siriono and Yuqui, who are both stakeholders in community forestry management projects. The first project, carried out among the Siriono by the NGO (non-governmental organization) CIDDEBENI (Centro de Investigacion y Documentacion para el Desarrollo del Beni), was funded by several international NGOs and governmental entities. It was small-scale and the staff had in-depth knowledge of the indigenous culture, practiced careful planning, engaged in participatory decision-making, and provided continuous monitoring and documentation for assessment. As a result, the project has contributed positively to the cultural continuity and integrity of the Siriono people and their economic development. The second project, targeted at the Yuqui and carried out by th...