Proposal for an Integrated conservation and development project in the region of Mache Chindul, North West Ecuador.

Objective: To protect the last remaining coastal tropical forests of North West Ecuador.

Aims:
· To create a replicable, sustainable, permaculture based lifestyle model in the region of the Mache-Chindul reserve,
· To explore and develop alternative income creating activities for local communities including eco-tourism, organic production and fair trade.
· To set up a Sloth sanctuary and wild animal rescue centre,
· To coordinate visits of volunteers, eco-tourists and researchers to the region.
Background:
The Region of Mache-Chindul
The mountains of Mache-Chindul are found on the north-west coast of Ecuador. Within this region is a tropical forest remnant of un-paralleled biodiversity and beauty that, without intervention, will be completely logged in less that 20 years (Dodson and Gentry 1991, Parker and Carr 1992, Tolisano and Howard 1997). These forests first came to international attention by world reknowned ecologist Norman Myers (1988). In 1995 he declared that Ecuador´s coastal forests are one of the world´s top three conservation priorities.
The Mache Chindul reserve features a specific type of wet tropical forest that once covered 15% of western Ecuador - but now less than 1% remains. One of the reasons for its high biodiversity and endemism is its altitude ranging to 600 metres above sea level. Despite the declaration of 50 000 ha preserved as protected forest in 1997, logging continues within the boundaries of the reserve.
According to a report by The centre for International Development and Environment (CIDE An assessment of Biological Diversity and Tropical Forests for Ecuador, 1989)
´We suspect that much of the flora of Western Ecuador may operate on a different set of parameters than do the large expanses of relatively homogenous tropical zone habitats. Those include extremely rapid speciation, adaptation to small habitat patches and concomitant rapid extinction rates. Thus we would submit that conservation of even the tiny habitat fragments that remain in Western Ecuador might well reserve a substantial portion of the original complement of nearly 1500 species endemic to the area, despite the tremendous deforestation which has taken place. Any such effort must be undertaken very soon however, since many of the species will surely be lost if the few tiny plant patches that remain today are destroyed.´

Endangered and Endemic Species
Mache Chindul is home to a very high diversity of plants and animals. According to research carried out by Jatun Sacha in their Bilsa biological station (part of a 4000 ha reserve) over 2000 different plant species have been documented and tree diversity reaches 120 species per hectare. Many plant species that are rare, endangered, or endemic are found in these mountains. More than 300 species of birds have been documented, among the highest totals for any western coastal forest in Ecuador. Endangered species found in the area include: the Banded Ground-Cuckoo, the Gray-Backed Hawk, the Long-Wattled Umbrella Bird, and the Baudo Guan. At least 24 mammal species reside in these forests, five of which are on international threatened species lists: the Jaguar, the Jaguarundi, the Oncilla, and the Giant Anteater. Troops of the endangered Mantled Howler Monkey are heard daily.

Indigenous People and local communities.
Mache-Chindul is home to the indigenous Chachi people and a growing population of colonizers, many of whom have moved from the depleted forest resource of Manabi province in the south. The local population depends on the cultivation of coffee, cocoa, rice, and corn for their cash income once the forests are harvested from their lands. These people rely on the watersheds of three major provincial rivers: the Cube, Aguacatal, and Dógola Rivers - however conversely deforestation and unsustainable agriculture are the greatest threat to the watersheds.
Proposed Activities:
Phase one (April 2003 to December 2003):
· Find and purchase an initial small area of land (1 ha) close to Mompiche Beach, MacheChindul and the main coastal road to establish a basic living situation based on permaculture principles that can welcome volunteers and visitors within one year.
· Seek funding assistance for purchase of a 4WD vehicle to assist in set up, transportation of volunteers and visitors to this project site and to other forest conservation project sites of Cerro Seco, El Paraiso, El Milagro, Tambaco, Madre Selva and the Cotacachi Ecology Centre.
· Set up animal rescue and rehabilition facilities with a specific focus on 3 toed Sloths within the initial site.
· Travel throughout the Mache Chindul region to explore possibilities for protecting a larger area of forest and extend alternative development initiatives to local people.
· Prepare more comprehensive information about the region as well as funding proposals for phase two of the project.
Phase two (From January 2004):
· Seek funding assistance to purchase a larger site to establish a Sloth sanctuary, wild animal rescue centre, research station and carry out community outreach programs in environmental education, nutrition, organic production, renewable energy, eco-tourism and other alternative development initiatives.
· Promote the site and projects on an international level to invite volunteers, eco-tourists and researchers to the region.

Budget for phase 1: (in US$)
1. Land Purchase: $2500 ( to be covered by personal funds of project directors Anja Light and Marcelo Luque)
2. Initial Constructions: $3000 (basic dwelling, facilities for animal rehabilitation, permaculture design)
3. Other materials: $2000 (solar panels, mountain bike, equipment and medicines, furniture and fittings)
4. Salaries and wages: $1000 (For local workers in initial setup, project directors will contribute to the initial phase of the project as volunteers without salary).
5. Secondhand 4 WD vehicle: $10 000

Total: $15000