Importance of the Forest for the Achuar Nationality

Abstract

The Achuar nationality of the Ecuadorian Amazon maintains a profound connection with the forest, seen as a living entity with intrinsic value, a source of sustenance, a spiritual center, and a foundation for community cohesion. Facing threats such as oil extraction, illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and climate change, the Achuar have implemented conservation strategies rooted in participatory governance, including territorial monitoring, sustainable projects, and community-based tourism. These practices, which integrate ancestral knowledge with modern approaches, have preserved their territories and way of life, offering a valuable model of sustainability and resilience in the face of a global environmental crisis.