It is with great excitement that the NGO Junglekeepers Peru announces it has officially protected a 2,780 acre (1,125 ha) Brazil nut concession in Peru’s Las Piedras watershed. This increases the amount of protected rainforests in the middle Las Piedras River to 15,960 acres (6,459 ha) of interconnected rainforests.

Las Piedras watershed

Las Piedras watershed

The Las Piedras watershed

Part of the Tropical Andes hotspot, this watershed is one the most biodiverse places in the world. Species recorded on the existing protected lands include more than 480 birds, 10 monkeys, and numerous other threatened and endangered species. The middle Las Piedras River is a global conservation priority due to its biodiverse rainforests and vulnerability to increasing threats, including increased agricultural expansion and the paving of the nearby Interoceanic Highway.

This purchase was made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Moksha/Modo Yoga Communities and in partnership with Peruvian NGOs Junglekeepers Peru and ARCAmazon, and US-based nonprofit Wild Forests and Fauna (WildFF).

Why is this land so important?

The land purchased includes more than 300 Brazil trees, connects existing concessions managed by Junglekeepers Peru and ARCAmazon and acts as a buffer to a nearby road. These connected forestlands prevent deforestation from moving up the Las Piedras River, which is the homeland of uncontacted tribes, contacted indigenous groups, and Alto Purus National Park. These forests also serve as a refuge for numerous threatened species including the endangered Peruvian black spider monkey, Brazilian tapir, giant anteater, and giant armadillo.

Jungle Canvas © Mohsin Kazmi

Jungle Canvas © Mohsin Kazmi

What are the benefits of this land purchase the region and its local communities?

In addition to protecting endangered wildlife and intact tropical rainforests, this concession will continue to act as a working forest producing an annual sustainable harvest of Brazil nuts. The purchase also creates local jobs through the annual harvest of Brazil nuts and Junglekeepers Peru and ARCAmazon’s joint forest ranger program. Together, these activities will fulfill the commitment of Junglekeepers Peru and ARCAmazon to working the land in a sustainable fashion by reducing hunting pressure on local wildlife, maintaining and expanding local job opportunities, and promoting regenerative land-use practices.

To learn more about this project and follow its progress, check out Junglekeepers on Instagram.