Indigenous Lands Advance in Environmental Protection and Sustainable Management in Brazil

Brazil is set to launch “Ywy Ipuranguete,” a major conservation initiative aimed at strengthening the management of 15 Indigenous Lands across five key biomes: the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Caatinga, and Pantanal. Covering six million hectares and home to around 57,000 Indigenous people, these areas play a critical role in maintaining Brazil’s ecological balance. The project focuses on enhancing sustainable territorial governance and protecting biodiversity hotspots.

Coordinated by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) and managed by the Brazilian Fund for Biodiversity (FUNBIO), with funding from the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), the initiative will receive an investment of $9 million. It seeks to empower Indigenous communities to manage their lands autonomously while improving environmental protection.

“Ywy Ipuranguete,” meaning “beautiful land” in Tupi-Guarani, will prioritize the implementation of Territorial and Environmental Management Plans (PGTAs), reinforcing Indigenous leadership in land management decisions. Core activities include:

Monitoring and territorial protection: Expanding infrastructure, using drones and radios for surveillance and defense against illegal invasions.

Sustainable economic development: Supporting Indigenous value chains, such as bio-jewelry, native fruits, and nuts, and facilitating access to national programs like the Food Acquisition Program (PAA).

Training and cultural preservation: Empowering women and young people as leaders in participatory governance and strengthening traditional knowledge.

Food sovereignty and ecological restoration: Promoting sustainable farming practices to ensure food security and ecosystem recovery.

The project will be guided by Indigenous communities themselves, with technical support ensuring transparency and accountability. According to Funai President Joenia Wapichana, this initiative is a key step toward strengthening Indigenous autonomy and safeguarding their territories against deforestation and other threats.

Andreia Bavaresco, Executive Coordinator of IEB, emphasized that combining conservation with sustainable income generation is the most effective way to support Indigenous peoples in their role as biodiversity protectors. The project aims not only to preserve the environment but also to promote long-term sustainable development for Indigenous communities.