Amazonia Biodiversity Estimation
using
Remote Sensing
and
Indigenous Taxonomy
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, EXTRACTIVE RESERVES AND BIOPROSPECTING
The extractive reserve concept, pioneered by Chico Mendes and Mary Helena Allegretti was a new and very creative idea for protecting the Amazon forest and at the same time resolving a serious social problem. Of the mass unemployment among the Rubber Tappers of Amazonia after the collapse of Brazil rubber production
In this context, Mary Allegretti and the National Council of Rubber Tappers proposed a new category of ecologically protected area, the Extractive Reserves.
The extractive reserves were a brilliant idea in the context of the other conservation units, since they explicitly made the peoples of the forest the guardians of the extremely valuable ecological patrimony of the areas they inhabit, with the support of non-governmental organizations and the Environmental Ministry [34].
Chico Mendes idea that improving the well-being of local populations should go with environmental protection has become unanimous. And principles that Chico defended as alternatives for the Amazon - adequately valuing the forest and of the knowledge of its peoples - are inscribed in international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity. [35]
Bio-prospecting is supported by the Rio Declaration on Sustainable Development and by the Convention on Biodiversity. Bioprospecting also has a prominent place in the series of new priorities being pursued by the federal Secretariat for Amazonia as alternatives to economic activities resulting in deforestation and degradation .
We believe that bioprospecting, making full use of the great knowledge and know-how of the Local Communities of Amazonia is the natural evolution of Extractive Reserves. [36]
Mary Allegretti, Brazil's secretary of the Amazon region has said : "We want to turn biopiracy into bioprospecting. We want to be partners, not victims. We want recognition that the raw biomaterials and the knowledge of how to use them from our indigenous communities is worth as much as the research money spent on developing new products abroad" [37].
Much knowledge, know-how and technology utilised in the present project could be utilised also for bio-prospecting and we hope that this project will be a contribution towards Capacity Building for Bio-prospecting