The Peruvian Amazon is second in size only to the Brazilian Amazon, covering nearly 60% of Peru’s landscape and supporting the life of over 12,810 species. These forests are also home to hundreds of Indigenous communities who rely on this land for their survival. As one of our planet’s most important carbon stores, the Peruvian Amazon is vital in the global fight against climate change and contains over 49 billion metric tons of CO₂ equivalents.

Wildlife dependent on this ecosystem—many already on the brink of extinction—find shelter in these forests. But illegal logging, mining and land trafficking are imperiling these species. At the same time, these encroaching activities are jeopardizing the sovereignty of Indigenous territories and traditions.

Rainforest Trust is working with partner Confederación de Nacionalidades Amazónicas del Perú and supported by the International Land Coalition to secure land tenure rights on 500,000 acres of Indigenous territories in some of the last remaining tracts of Amazon rainforest in Peru. Together, we will support at least 30 Indigenous communities urgently wanting to conserve their lands. Once protected, these acres will safely store 121,309,442 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents—comparable to the CO₂ emissions from consuming 13 billion gallons of gas.

Header photo:  The Harpy Eagle, by Wirestock Creators

Stop Land-grabbing and Illegal Activities on Indigenous Lands

Intact forests and threatened species face a growing menace as those seeking economic gain make inroads into Indigenous territories across the Amazon for nefarious purposes. Illegal mining, drug and land trafficking, logging and plantations cultivating the same crop year after year—such as coca for the drug trade—are a growing danger. Titling these territories will help prevent encroachment by outsiders and give communities legal recourse against the threats.

Newly titled territories will enable Indigenous people to maintain their traditional livelihoods in sustainable ways. At least 12 communities will be seeking legal recognition of their lands as Private Conservation Areas in addition to designation as Indigenous territories, providing an additional level of protection against conversion of the forests.

Save Rainforests and Rare Species in the Peruvian Amazon

A rich variety of flora and fauna live within the proposed areas to be titled. While these community lands have yet to be fully cataloged, the rainforests here harbor threatened bird species, including the Critically Endangered Sira Curassow. Endangered mammal species living in the project landscape include the Black-faced Black Spider Monkey and Giant Otter.

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