Ecotourism: A Sustainable Alternative
Colvin, Jean G.
Capirona, a small Quichua accommodate the ecotourist's community in the rainfor- desire for an "authentic" est of eastern Ecuador, sur- experience, the Capirona vilvived over the years by grow-...
...Similarly, the visitors' had to come up with another cabana at Capirona is lit by means of economic survival...
...The villagers set careful limits on the type and number of visi- tors...
...The country's ecotourism programs are, however, still predominantly run by large national and inter- national companies without indigenous representation...
...indeed, visitor inter- est has generated a revival of traditional crafts...
...These benefits, of course, come at a price...
...When families aspire to live in tinlocal maize prices fell in the roofed, cinder-block struclate 'i9805, the community tures...
...No outsiders are allowed during certain periods so that villagers have time for their nor- mal routines...
...In addition to the ecological concerns, the social impact of ecotourism is fraught with ambi- guity...
...Recently, 23 communi- ties organized an ecotourism organization under the umbrella of the provincial Federation of National lndigenous Organiza- tions (FOIN...
...The Capirona project is one of the world's first communallybased, indigenous-operated ecotourism initiatives...
...Ecotourism will never be as profitable as oil development, but it can serve as one prong of a diversified, sustainable econo- my...
...The Capirona project validates traditional knowledge...
...These limits minimize dis- ruption to the community and damage to the environment...
...The influx of tourists puts pressure on the environ- ment...
...Community members administer the program themselves: they manage the accounts, determine how much to charge, decide what groups to receive and when, and most importantly, decide together how to spend the profits...
...It has also created a network of international support among the individuals and groups that have visited Capirona...
...Villagers offer outsiders a window onto their culture: they guide visitors through the forest, explain local plant use, demonstrate how tra- ditional crafts are made, and perform traditional dances...
...D espite these concerns, inter- est in ecotourism is growing among Ecuador's indigenous peoples...
...The national Con- federation of lndigenous Amazonians (CONFENIAE) now has an ecotourism staff position...
...The project has supported families by providing local jobs, facilitated cultural exchange, and preserved indige- nous stewardship of the land...
...Ecotourism projects like that at Capirona generate income for kan G. Colvm 1s thp director of th~ Untver~~t~/ Rpsearch Ex~editions Prooram at fhf Unr~ersitv of Californra at 8 - F~d:elrv - indigenous communities while at the same time preserving the rainforest that these communi- ties value so highly...
...For instance, Capirona vil- lagers and visitors use the river both as a source of drinking water, and for washing and bathing...
...This increases the risk of river-water contamination...
...Waste disposal is another ever-present problem for the community...
...To ,; private people...
...Vil- lagers also cut down trees to feed the fires that are built sev- eral times daily to purify drinking water for visitors and to clear areas for visitor facilities...
...And the encroachment of oil companies looms on the hori- zon...
...Tourist inter- est forces them to resolve questions like whether to open their homes to visitors, share their knowledge of medicinal plants, or involve visitors in sacred rituals...
...Capirona, a small Quichua accommodate the ecotourist's community in the rainfor- desire for an "authentic" est of eastern Ecuador, sur- experience, the Capirona vilvived over the years by grow- lagers built a small tourist ing subsistence crops and a lodge and dining area in the few acres of maize and cof- traditional grass-and-bamboo fee which it sold in the mar- style, even though most local ket towns upriver...
...candle, while electrical generAlready bombarded by a ,, ators are used for village steadv influx of tourists - ---F functions...
...The Quichua are a brougkt in by uninvited tour rhr" guides, the community decid- 'Om ed to establish its own eco- tourism project...
...For ecotourism to play a role in preserving local economies and cultures, indigenous people themselves must be in control of the process and receive an equi- table share of the benefits...
...While promoting ecotourism, the government clearly prizes oil development...
...Prospective visitors must accept a comprehensive set of condi- tions-from the lack of running water to prohibitions against nude bathing and gifts to indi- viduals...
...lndigenous communities such as Capirona are exposed to visitors with far greater material wealth, different values, and usually extremely limited knowl- edge of the local culture...
...The cur- rent government is actively encouraging oil exploration in Napo and Pastaza provinces...
Vol. 28 • September 1994 • No. 2
