Border protection in the Amazon rainforest: boat and boat motors protect the water borders of the Waiãpi in Brazil

Since 2019, TARGET e. V. has been supporting a border protection project founded and run by the Waiãpi. Every year, they check and clean up the 405 kilometers of borders in their territory in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. This is because intruders only commit an offense when entering the protected area if it is also marked. The industrious vegetation of the Amazon rainforest quickly overgrows the boundary markers, meaning that they have to be regularly cleared. If traces of intruders are discovered during such a patrol, this is immediately reported to the environmental police and the Brazilian military. Following such a report, they then take direct action to bring the illegal predatory fishermen, poachers or gold prospectors to justice.

TARGET supports these patrols with shark knives, protective equipment such as high-shaft rubber boots and food. As a special acquisition this year, a maneuverable boat with an outboard motor was purchased and handed over to the Waiãpi. They use the boat to cross the rivers to the territorial borders in the south and west. This makes it easier to control the water borders and clear them of overgrowth. An additional new boat motor has made an existing boat in the north of the area fit to sail again for border protection.

Find out more in the Annual Letter 2023 from page 16

You can also support this project with a specific gift donation. Perhaps an idea for Christmas for someone who cares about the Amazon rainforest.