In a bold response to rampant deforestation, the Montahuano Ushigua family from the Kichwa community of San Jacinto in Pastaza, Ecuador, has initiated a reforestation project aimed at restoring 30 hectares of degraded secondary forest.
The region has suffered significant deforestation since the 1970s due to industrial activities, including a tea plantation and charcoal production, which led to the loss of native trees such as cedar. According to the Amazon Georeferenced Information Network (Raisg), over 4,678 hectares were deforested in the Mera canton from 2001 to 2020, highlighting a pressing environmental crisis.
In response, the family launched the Itia Mama Minga project, named to honor the memory of Carmelina Ushigua, a Sapara woman knowledgeable in medicinal plants. This initiative focuses on planting native species to rejuvenate the local ecosystem and is supported by the Pachamama Foundation, which provided 5,000 plants for the effort.
Yanda Montahuano, a member of the project, emphasizes the importance of indigenous cultures in preserving nature, stating, "There is life in nature that allows us to feed, heal, and care for ourselves, and we must protect it." The Montahuano family hopes to see the forest fully restored in the near future.
This initiative not only addresses local environmental degradation but also serves as a significant model for global reforestation efforts, showcasing the vital role of indigenous knowledge and community action in combating climate change.