Text :Tanja de Raadt, ECEAT Projects, and Métilde Wendenbaum
Native Shiwiar Indian Raúl Tapuy offers visits to his home territory in the Ecuadorian rainforest, among the Pavacachi community. When asking about him, this is what he is saying in his own words :
“I am a SHIWIAR INDIAN. I am from a village of corrientes river, deep in the jungle region of Ecuador, S.A. My tiny isolated village has in total a population of around 300 inhabitants. The only convenient way to get there is by using small single engine aircraft. It takes 45-60 minutes flight departing from airport (Shell) into the village Pavacachi”. Raúl Tapuy
That is to say that visitors should keep in mind that overthere they are dealing with a truly out-of-the-way place where usual amenities simply are unavailable. Pascual and Raúl are offering since 8 years profound insights into the Amazonian Rainforest and Shiwiar culture. As Raúl doesn’t have direct access to the Internet, the logistics and communications for his tours are handled by his friend, Pascual Kunchicuy. Around Pascual and Raúl ’s village and on the river, visitors will see caiman, anaconda, dolphin, many species of birds including parrots, as well as monkeys, fish, and ceiba and cedro trees 50 meters (over 150 feet) tall. Raúl Tapuy is a certified local naturalist and guide specialized in the Amazon Rainforest.
The team is working in close collaboration with Global Vision International, UK volunteering organisation. This project is a perfect illustration of the ideal collaboration between an organisation proposing scientific expeditions and a local community. Global Vision International’s expedition programme in Ecuador aims to assist and support the local NGO and the indigenous community in conservation of the Pavacachi reserve. The GVI biological research expedition works in conjunction with the Pavacachi community on various projects and gives expedition members a unique opportunity to study rare and endangered species, work alongside a local indigenous community and experience life in a remote part of pristine Amazon jungle.
Contact
Raúl Tapuy Vargas
Pastaza-Parroquia sheell Av.10 noviembre y rió pindo
(junto al coliseo de shell)
Pavacachi-Pastaza
Ecuador -Amazonia
Tel. : + 593 032 795-176
Fax : + 593 032-795-176
E-mail : tamia212000@yahoo.com
Internet : non
Other contact
Global Vision International (UK) - www.gvi.co.uk