INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN ISOLATION AND INITIAL CONTACT: WWF–PERU EFFORTS TO PROTECT PEOPLE AND FORESTS

The Purus-Manu Conservation Corridor (PMCC) is one of the largest forest areas encompassing around 10 million ha. This landscape straddles the regions of Ucayali, Cuzco and Madre de Dios in Southern Peru. It is home to some of the last populations of indigenous people in isolation and initial contact (PIACI), and it represents one of Peru’s most important natural heritage areas that still maintains excellent conservation conditions.

Territorial Reserves (TR) are created to protect indigenous people in isolation and initial contact. Four of the five existing in Peru are located in the PMCC: Murunahua, Mashco-Piro, Nahua-Nanti-Kugapakori and Madre de Dios TRs (about 30% of the corridor area). Moreover, the PMCC includes 5 protected areas: the Alto Purus and Manu National Parks, the Purus and Amarakaeri Communal Reserves, and the Megantoni National Sanctuary; as well as, a research station, a conservation concession, forest management concessions, private lands and a mosaic of communities from 16 different indigenous groups. PIACI also live in the neighboring protected areas of Brazil in the Eastern border of the Corridor.