Agile Manaus tourism and culture of AmazonasIt's not long before the Yanomami can start ecotourism to Yaripo, as they call Pico da Neblina, Brazil's highest point.
O Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) has approved the Yaripo Visitation Plan - Yanomami Ecotourism presented by the Yanomami in July of last year. Dated May 9, the ordinance was published May 11, 2018 in the Journal. See here.
The preparation of the document relied on the broad participation of the Yanomami of the Maturacá region (AM) in a process developed over four years in partnership with the ICMBio, Funai, the Army, the Tourism Secretariat of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, and the Socio-environmental Institute (ISA).
The Yaripo, as the Pico da Neblina is protected by the Yanomami because it is part of the Yanomami Indigenous Land and the Pico da Neblina Pico da Neblina National Park. For this reason, the Visitation Plan must also be approved by Funai, the final step before the Yanomami can begin taking tourists to the highest point in Brazil. The management of the activity will be the responsibility of the Yanomami Association of the Rio Cauaburis (Ayrca) in conjunction with the Association of Yanomami Women Kumirayoma (AMYK).
Alternative income generation
The visitation presents itself as an alternative way of generating income for the Yanomami and should help to meet their needs for manufactured goods, which are now indispensable for their physical survival and wellbeing. It is estimated that 80 Yanomami will have income, directly benefiting 800 people (relatives and affinities), and the profit from the tourist activity will be reverted for community use following the determinations of Ayrca's general assembly.
Under the aspect of territorial protection, ecotourism presents itself as an alternative to the gold mining currently in force in the region, practiced both by invaders and by the natives themselves. The Yanomami involved in gold mining are mostly young men who seek an income to support their families, claiming they have no other option. The expectation of all of them is that with the arrival of ecotourism, it will be possible to leave mining behind and engage in a more pleasurable and profitable activity that does not degrade the environment.
Anyone interested in visiting the Yaripo with the Yanomami can sign up on a waiting list maintained by Ayr. waiting list maintained by Ayrcabut must be patient because the visitation should only be open to the public in 2019, after approval by Funai and the completion of training stages of the Yanomami and improvement of infrastructure that will occur throughout this year.
